Font size  -     N     + 
Permanent Committee Fatwas
Browse by volume number > The first group > Volume 23: (oaths - vows - imamate) > Vows > Delaying fulfillment of the vow for anyone who cannot afford it

The first question of Fatwa no. 18588

Q 1: I was inflicted with a disease and made a vow that I would observe Sawm (Fast) for a whole month if I recovered
( Part No : 23,Page No:341)
 completely. All praise be to Allah that I have already recovered. I began to fulfill my vow by observing Sawm. After observing Sawm for some days, I found difficulty in continuing Sawm as I am an old person and am physically weak. Is it permissible for me to stop Sawm? Or is it obligatory for me to continue Sawm with difficulty? Or can I feed poor people instead of observing Sawm as Allah does not burden a person beyond his ability?

A: It is dislikeable to make a vow to do something, as it was authentically reported that the Prophet (may peace be upon him) forbade making vows, saying, It (a vow) does not prevent anything (that has to take place). In another narration: It (vow) does not bring good, but it is only from the miserly that something is extracted through it. (Related by the Six Hadith Compilers (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y, and Ibn Majah) except Al-Tirmidhy from the Hadith reported by Ibn `Umar (may Allah pleased with them))

However, if you made a vow of obedience such as the vow mentioned above, you have to fulfill it, as it was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Whoever vows that he will obey Allah should obey Him; and whoever vows to disobey Allah should not disobey Him. (Related by the Six Hadith Compilers (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y, and Ibn Majah) except Muslim from the Hadith reported by `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her).

The vow you made is a vow of obedience which you have to fulfill even at different times if you did not intend such Sawm to be successive. You have the option to delay such Sawm until you can observe it.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'

Member Member Member Deputy Chairman Chairman
Bakr Abu Zayd Salih Al-Fawzan `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-`Aziz Al Al-Shaykh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz



  Back     Next