Hadith about oaths and vows

The Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting among the people in Tabuk. He (ﷺ) said, "What happened to Ka'b bin Malik?" A person from the tribe of Banu Salamah said: "O Messenger of Allah! the embellishment of his cloak and an appreciation of his sides have allured him, and he was thus detained." Mu'adh bin Jabal…

وعن كعب بن مالك رضي الله عنه في حديثه الطويل في قصة توبته وقد سبق في بابه التوبة‏.‏ قال‏:‏ قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو جالس في القوم بتبوك‏:‏ ‏"‏ما فعل كعب مالك‏؟‏ فقال رجل من بني سلمة‏:‏ يا رسول الله حبسه برداه…

Narrated by Ka‘b ibn Mālik + 37 other versions

My uncle Anas bin An-Nadr (May Allah be pleased with him) was absent from the battle of Badr and he said: "O Messenger of Allah! I was absent from the first battle you fought against the pagans, and if Allah let me participate in a battle against the pagans, Allah will see what I do." So he…

الخامس عشر‏:‏ عن أنس رضي الله عنه، قال‏:‏ غاب عمي أنس ابن النضر رضي الله عنه، عن قتال بدر، فقال‏:‏ يارسول الله غبت عن أول قتال قاتلت المشركين، لئن الله أشهدني قتال المشركين ليرين الله ما أصنع‏.‏ فلما كان يوم أحد انكشف…

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 19 other versions

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who takes oath to acquire the property of a Muslim unjustly will meet Allah and He will be angry with him" then he recited: "Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter. Neither will…

"‏من خلف على مال امرئ مسلم بغير حقه، لقي الله وهو عليه غضبان‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd + 22 other versions

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "When you take an oath and consider something else to be better than it, make expiation for your oath and choose the better alternative." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"‏وإذا حلفت على يمين، فرأيت غيرها خيرًا منها، فائت الذي هو خير، وكفر عن يمينك‏"

Narrated by Abdur-Rahmān ibn Samurah + 28 other versions

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Verily, I swear by Allah, if Allah wills, I shall not swear to do something but that if I consider something else to be better than it, then I shall make expiation for my oath and adopt the thing that is better." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"‏إني والله إن شاء الله لا أحلف على يمين، ثم أرى خيرًا منها إلا كفرت عن يميني، وأتيت الذي هو خير‏"

Narrated by Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari + 22 other versions

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who vows to obey Allah, should obey Him. But he who vows to disobey Allah, should not disobey Him." [Al- Bukhari].

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ من نذر أن يطيع الله فليطعه ومن نذر أن يعصي الله فلا يعصه‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 17 other versions

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Command your children to perform Salat (prayer) when they are seven years old, and beat them for (not offering) it when they are ten, and do not let (boys and girls) sleep together". [Abu Dawud, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan with a Hasan Chain].

"‏ مروا أولادكم بالصلاة وهم أبناء سبع سنين، واضربوهم عليها، وهم أبناء عشر، وفرقوا بينهم في المضاجع‏"

+ 35 other versions

The Companions of As-Suffah were poor people. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever has food enough for two people, should take a third one (from among them), and whoever has food enough for four persons, should take a fifth or sixth (or said something similar)." Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him)…

"‏من كان عنده طعام اثنين، فليذهب بثالث، ومن كان عنده طعام أربعة، فليذهب بخامس بسادس‏"

+ 7 other versions

The Prophet's oath (ﷺ) used to be: "No, by Him Who turns (changes) the hearts." [Reported by al-Bukhari].

"لَا, وَمُقَلِّبِ اَلْقُلُوبِ"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 8 other versions

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'Urwa with the same chain of transmitters.

قَالَ أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ بِشْرِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، بِهَذَا سَوَاءً وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ سُوَيْدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ…

+ 10 other versions

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Persistence in respect of his oath about his family is more sinful with Allah than the payment of its expiation prescribed by Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏"‏لأن يلج أحدكم في يمينه في أهله آثم له عند الله تعالى من أن يعطي كفارته التي فرض الله عليه‏"‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ قوله‏:‏ ‏"‏يلَجّ‏"‏ بفتح…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 4 other versions

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "If anyone swears that in such and such case he will be free from Islam and afterwards he turns out to be a liar, he will be as he has sworn; but if he is speaking the truth, he will not revert safely to Islam." [Abu Dawud].

"‏من حلف فقال‏:‏ إني بريء من الإسلام، فإن كان كاذبًا، فهو كما قال، وإن كان صادقًا، فلن يرجع إلى الإسلام سالمًا‏"

+ 6 other versions

While the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering Khutbah (religious talk), he noticed a man who was standing, so he asked about him and was told that he was Abu Israel who had taken a vow to remain standing and not sit, or go into the shade, or speak while observing fasting. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)…

"‏مروه فليتكلم وليستظل وليقعد وليتم صومه‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 3 other versions

The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade making vows, and said, "It does not bring good. Indeed, it is only a means by which something is extracted from the miserly." [Agreed upon].

" إِنَّهُ لَا يَأْتِي بِخَيْرٍ وَإِنَّمَا يُسْتَخْرَجُ بِهِ مِنْ اَلْبَخِيلِ"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 4 other versions

Anas said that the Prophet saw an old man being supported between his sons, and on asking what was the matter with him and being told that he had taken a vow to walk,* he said, “God most high has no need that this man should punish himself,” and he ordered him to ride. In a version by Muslim on Abu…

وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَأَى شَيْخًا يُهَادَى بَيْنَ ابْنَيْهِ فَقَالَ: «مَا بَالُ هَذَا؟» قَالُوا: نَذَرَ أَنْ يَمْشِيَ إِلَى بَيت الله قَالَ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى عَنْ…

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 8 other versions

The Ayah: "Allah will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths ..." was revealed in respect of those persons who are in the habit of repeating: 'No, by Allah'; and 'Yes, by Allah.' [Al- Bukhari].

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ أنزلت هذه الآية‏:‏ ‏{‏لا يؤاخذكم الله باللغو في أيمانكم‏}‏ في قول الرجل‏:‏ لا والله، وبلى والله‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 2 other versions

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "He who has taken an oath (to do something) but found something else better than that (which brings him closer to Allah), then he should do that which is better in piety (and he should expiate for the breaking of oath)". [Muslim].

"‏من حلف على يمين ثم رأى أتقى لله منها فليأت التقوى‏"

Narrated by Adiyy ibn Hātim + 1 other version

I have retained in my memory the saying of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that: "No one is considered an orphan after he has attained the age of maturity; and it is unlawful to remain silent from dawn till night." [Abu Dawud with Hasan (good) Isnad].

"‏لا يتم بعد احتلام، ولا صمات يوم إلى الليل‏"

Narrated by Ali + 2 other versions

"Do not swear by your fathers, nor by your mothers, nor by the rivals (set up as equals with Allah); and do not swear by Allah except when you are speaking the truth."

وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِأَبِي دَاوُدَ, وَالنَّسَائِيِّ: عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- { لَا تَحْلِفُوا بِآبَائِكُمْ, وَلَا بِأُمَّهَاتِكُمْ, وَلَا بِالْأَنْدَادِ, وَلَا تَحْلِفُوا إِلَّا بِاَللَّهِ, وَلَا…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 3 other versions

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, said that his grandfather told of a woman who said, “Messenger of God, I have taken a vow to play the tambourine over you,” to which he replied, “Fulfil your vow.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. Razin added that she said, “And I have taken a vow to perform a…

وَعَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جده رَضِي الله عَنهُ أَنَّ امْرَأَةً قَالَتْ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ أَنْ أَضْرِبَ عَلَى رَأْسِكَ بِالدُّفِّ قَالَ: «أَوْفِي بِنَذْرِكِ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو…

+ 1 other version

Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubādah sought a ruling from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) concerning a vow that was due upon his mother, who had died before she fulfilled it. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Fulfill it on her behalf."

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubādah sought a ruling from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) concerning a vow that was due upon his mother, who had died before she fulfilled it. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace…

اسْتَفْتَى سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي نَذْرٍ كَانَ عَلَى أُمِّهِ تُوُفِّيَتْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقْضِيَهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ فَاقْضِهِ عَنْهَا‏"‏ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 12 other versions Explained

O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died in a state that she had to observe the fast of a month. Should I complete it on her behalf? Thereupon he said: Would you not pay the debt if your mother had died without paying it? He said: Yes. He said: The debt of Allah is more worthy of being repaid

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died in a state that she had to observe the fast of a month. Should I complete it on her behalf?" Thereupon he…

لَوْ كَانَ عَلَى أُمِّكَ دَيْنٌ أَكُنْتَ قَاضِيَهُ عَنْهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ نَعَمْ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَدَيْنُ اللَّهِ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُقْضَى ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 5 other versions Explained

The expiation for a vow is the same as the expiation for an oath

"The expiation for a vow is the same as the expiation for an oath."

كَفَّارَةُ النَّذْرِ كَفَّارَةُ الْيَمِينِ ‏"

Narrated by Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir + 6 other versions Explained

‘Īsa the Son of Maryam saw a person stealing. Thereupon, ‘Īsa said to him: Did you steal? He said: No, by the One besides Whom there is no god. So ‘Īsa said: I believed in Allah and disbelieved my eyes

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "‘Īsa the Son of Maryam saw a person stealing. Thereupon, ‘Īsa asked him: 'Did you steal?' He said: 'No, by the One besides Whom there is no god.' So ‘Īsa said: 'I believed in…

رَأَى عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَجُلاً يَسْرِقُ، فَقَالَ لَهُ أَسَرَقْتَ قَالَ كَلاَّ وَاللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عِيسَى آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ وَكَذَّبْتُ عَيْنِي ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 5 other versions Explained

My sister vowed to walk to the Sacred Mosque barefoot. Then, she asked me to ask the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about it. I asked him, and he replied: "Let her walk and ride."

My sister took a vow to walk to the Sacred Mosque barefoot. Then, she asked me to ask the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about it. I asked him, and he replied: "Let her walk and ride."

نَذَرَتْ أُخْتِي أَنْ تَمْشِيَ، إِلَى بَيْتِ اللَّهِ حَافِيَةً فَأَمَرَتْنِي أَنْ أَسْتَفْتِيَ لَهَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاسْتَفْتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لِتَمْشِ وَلْتَرْكَبْ ‏"

Narrated by Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir + 2 other versions Explained

Abu Bakr As-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with him) entered upon a woman from Ahmas tribe, called Zaynab, and he noticed that she was not speaking

Qays ibn Abi Hāzim reported: Abu Bakr As-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with him) entered upon a woman from Ahmas tribe, called Zaynab, and he noticed that she was not speaking, he asked: "Why is she not speaking?" They said: "She has intended to perform Hajj without speaking." He said to her…

تَكَلَّمِي، فَإِنَّ هَذَا لاَ يَحِلُّ، هَذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ‏.‏ فَتَكَلَّمَتْ، فَقَالَتْ مَنْ أَنْتَ قَالَ امْرُؤٌ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ‏.‏ قَالَتْ أَىُّ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ قَالَ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ‏.‏ قَالَتْ مِنْ…

Narrated by Abu Bakr as-Siddīq + 1 other version Explained

‘Ā'ishah's story with Ibn Az-Zubayr that involved a separation and a vow

‘Awf ibn Mālik – or ibn al-Hārith – ibn at-Tufayl reported: ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was told that ‘Abdullāh ibn Az-Zubayr, upon hearing that she was selling or giving something as a gift, said: "By Allah, if ‘Ā’ishah does not give this up, I will declare her incompetent to dispose…

أَهُوَ قَالَ هَذَا قَالُوا نَعَمْ‏.‏ قَالَتْ هُوَ لِلَّهِ عَلَىَّ نَذْرٌ، أَنْ لاَ أُكَلِّمَ ابْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ أَبَدًا‏.‏ فَاسْتَشْفَعَ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ إِلَيْهَا، حِينَ طَالَتِ الْهِجْرَةُ فَقَالَتْ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ…

Narrated by Ā’ishah Explained

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: If anyone swears an oath and makes an exception, he may fulfil it if he wishes and break it if he wishes without any accountability for breaking.

‏ مَنْ حَلَفَ فَاسْتَثْنَى فَإِنْ شَاءَ رَجَعَ، وَإِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَ غَيْرَ حِنْثٍ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 3 other versions

A woman made a voyage and vowed that she would fast one month if Allah made her reach her destination with peace and security. Allah made her reach her destination with security but she died before she could fast. Her daughter or sister (the narrator doubted) came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). So…

فَأَمَرَهَا أَنْ تَصُومَ عَنْهَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 2 other versions

A man stood on the day of Conquest (of Mecca) and said: Messenger of Allah, I have vowed to Allah that if He grants conquest of Mecca at your hands, I shall pray two rak'ahs in Jerusalem. He replied: Pray here. He repeated (his statement) to him and he said: Pray here. He again repeated (his…

‏ ‏"‏ صَلِّ هَا هُنَا ‏"‏ ثُمَّ أَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ ‏"‏ صَلِّ هَا هُنَا ‏"‏ ثُمَّ أَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ ‏"‏ شَأْنَكَ إِذًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ ‏:‏ رُوِيَ نَحْوُهُ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh