Intermediate
Worship & Dhikr
Surah: Al-Insan (7)
Vows and Their Rulings — Al-Baqarah 270 and Surah Al-Insan
يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذۡرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوۡمٗا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسۡتَطِيرٗا
— الإنسان الآية 7
The two verses:
"Whatever you spend or vow — Allah knows it." (Al-Baqarah 2:270)
"They fulfill their vows and fear a day whose evil is widespread." (Al-Insan 76:7)
Definition of a vow (nadhr): A competent person obligating himself to perform an act of worship not originally required — through a formal commitment.
Ruling on making a vow: Disliked (makruh) — based on the hadith: "It brings no good; it is only extracted from the miser." (Agreed upon)
Fulfilling the vow: Obligatory — Allah praised the believers for fulfilling vows in Al-Insan 76:7. Also: "then let them fulfill their vows" (Al-Hajj 22:29).
Types of vows:
Definition of a vow (nadhr): A competent person obligating himself to perform an act of worship not originally required — through a formal commitment.
Ruling on making a vow: Disliked (makruh) — based on the hadith: "It brings no good; it is only extracted from the miser." (Agreed upon)
Fulfilling the vow: Obligatory — Allah praised the believers for fulfilling vows in Al-Insan 76:7. Also: "then let them fulfill their vows" (Al-Hajj 22:29).
Types of vows:
- Vow of devotion (unconditional): "For the sake of Allah I will fast a month" — must be fulfilled.
- Conditional vow: "If Allah heals me I will fast a week" — becomes obligatory when the condition is met.
- Vow to commit a sin: Not permissible to fulfill — requires expiation equivalent to breaking an oath (majority view).
- Vow for something permissible: Disputed — the majority say it is not obligatory.
Source: Al-Jassas, Ahkam al-Quran (1/543); Al-Mughni (13/627); Al-Nawawi, Al-Majmu (8/454); Ibn Kathir, Tafsir (8/288)
Test Yourself
What is the ruling on making a vow in the first place? What is the evidence? And what is the ruling on fulfilling it once made?
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