Hadith 3471

(1) The statement: And let them fulfill their vows: This command indicates obligation. Although this was revealed concerning a specific vow, it may be used as evidence that fulfilling a vow absolutely is obligatory, because it is a command to fulfill the vow, and the text, according to us, is not restricted to its context or cause. Thus, it indicates that fulfilling every vow is obligatory. They used the term “obligation” here in contrast to a mandated duty, because it is a general rule from which some specific cases are excluded, such as a vow to commit a sin or a non-intended act of worship, making it presumptive. Therefore, they applied the term “obligation” to it, indicating the ambiguity.

(2) The statement: “Do not make vows, for a vow does not avail anything against fate, etc.”: The meaning of his prohibition of vows is to emphasize its command and warn against neglecting it after making it obligatory. If it meant prohibiting it entirely, that would nullify its ruling and remove the obligation to fulfill it, as it would become a sin. The perspective of the hadith is that he informed them that it is something that does not bring them immediate benefit, nor repel harm, nor avert anything decreed by Allah, the Exalted. He says: Do not make vows thinking that by vowing you will attain something not decreed by Allah for you, or repel something decreed against you. If you do so, fulfill it, for what you vowed is binding upon you. Thus, prohibiting vows for this purpose encourages vowing, but with sincerity. Its clarification is that he justified the prohibition by saying: “For a vow does not avail anything against fate,” indicating that what is prohibited is the condition, meaning the corrupt belief that a vow can avail against fate. The conclusion is that the prohibition of vows is not related to their essence but to the corrupt belief arising from them. Thus, the prohibition is against vowing with the belief that it can avert fate, not against vowing absolutely. [Taken from “Al-Mirqat” and “Al-Luma’at”] For this reason, it is stated in “Radd al-Muhtar”: Know that a vow is a legislated act of worship. Its status as worship is due to its association with acts of worship like prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, emancipation, and the like. Its legislation is due to the commands to fulfill it. It is stated in “Umdat al-Qari”: Consensus has been established on the obligation to fulfill a vow if it is an act of obedience. Allah, the Exalted, said: Fulfill your contracts (Al-Ma’idah: 1), and said: They fulfill their vows (Al-Insan: 7), praising them for it. There is disagreement regarding initiating a vow. Some said it is recommended, while others said it is disliked, and Nawawi affirmed this. Shafi’i stated that it is contrary to what is preferable. Some later scholars interpreted the prohibition as applying to a vow of obstinacy, while they recommended a vow of piety. We will mention their explanation in this chapter, God willing, the Exalted.