Vowing to slaughter a mature camel if the father is cured

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Q: I am a twenty-four year old young man. When I was about fifteen or sixteen years old, my father was ill, so I vowed to slaughter an old she-camel if he recovered. I also vowed that if my ill aunt recovered I would slaughter another old she-camel. I have not yet fulfilled these two vows. I hope Your Eminence can enlighten me concerning this, given that I did not know at that time the value of the vow or its method. Therefore, I hope you can guide me to the right path. May Allah protect you.

A: You should fulfill your vows for it was authentically reported that `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, Whoever vows that he will be obedient to Allah, should obey Him; and whoever made a vow that he will disobey Allah, should not disobey Him." Reported by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih. You should seek Allah's Forgiveness for delaying the fulfillment of the vows. (Part No. 23; Page No. 265) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.