Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
This charity is so that it may become an expiation for an imagined sin.
The command to recite the declaration of monotheism (kalimah tawhid) was given to those among the Arabs who were newly entering Islam.
Since these words were already habitual on their tongues, it was stated that if such words slip from the tongue by mistake, one should immediately make amends for it.
And by reciting the pure declaration (kalimah tayyibah), one should renew faith and the belief in monotheism.
The same ruling applies to those people who habitually swear oaths by their spiritual guides, saints, ghawth, pirs, or living persons.
It is mentioned in the hadith that whoever swears an oath by other than Allah has committed shirk (associating partners with Allah).
In any case, oaths should be sworn only by the name of Allah, and even then, only a truthful oath; otherwise, swearing a false oath by the name of Allah is also a major sin.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
If a person swears by Lat or Manat, and in swearing intends to venerate them, then he becomes devoid of faith. Therefore, for the renewal of faith, he should recite: La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. If, at the time of swearing by them, veneration was not intended, but rather it slipped from the tongue out of forgetfulness or heedlessness, then even so, since the name of an idol has been uttered, some degree of darkness will certainly enter the heart. To remove this, the declaration of tawhid (the testimony of monotheism) should be recited.

➋
In any case, for the name of false deities to come upon the tongue, whether intentionally or unintentionally, is not free from danger. Therefore, it should be rectified with the statement of sincerity (kalimat al-ikhlas). And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:

Although swearing an oath by other than Allah is absolutely prohibited, swearing by idols, deities, or saints is categorically haram (forbidden).
If someone takes such an oath, that person should recite the kalimah of tawhid again and re-enter Islam.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The hadith mentions swearing by Lat and Uzza, whereas the chapter heading refers to "Tawaghit" (false deities). Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, by using this word, has alluded to another narration whose wording is:
"Do not swear by your forefathers or by the Tawaghit (false deities)."
(Sunan an-Nasa'i, Al-Ayman wa al-Nudhur, Hadith: 3805)
(2)
The majority of the scholars say that whoever swears by Lat and Uzza or by any other idols, or says, "If I do this, I will become a Jew or a Christian," or "I am free from Islam and the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam," then such an oath does not become binding.
He should seek forgiveness from Allah for this sin, and apart from repentance, there is no other expiation for it.
For repentance, he should recite "La ilaha illallah" and seek forgiveness from Allah.
(3)
In the hadith, reciting "La ilaha illallah" is recommended because by swearing by the names of idols, a person has imitated the disbelievers; therefore, he should recite the kalimah of tawhid ("La ilaha illallah") to make amends. And by inviting to gambling, he has agreed with the disbelievers in one of their games; thus, the command is to give charity (sadaqah) as expiation for this sin.
In this, only the one who invites to gambling is commanded to give charity, and if someone actually engages in gambling, then all the more so should he give charity so that this sin is expiated.
(Fath al-Bari: 11/654)
(4)
In any case, swearing by other than Allah is absolutely prohibited.
If someone swears by idols, deities, saints, or spiritual leaders, he is committing a forbidden act; he should recite the kalimah of tawhid to rectify this.

Hadith Commentary:
Only those people can swear by al-Lat and al-‘Uzza (idols) who consider them to be deities; therefore, if any Muslim happens to swear such an oath, it is obligatory for him to recite the kalimah tayyibah (the declaration of faith) again and renew his faith.

All things other than Allah are included in this ruling, whether they are idols, avatars, prophets, martyrs, saints, angels, or any idol or stone, etc. Whoever swears by any idol or stone, etc., is instructed to recite the kalimah tayyibah again and renew his faith.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Only those people swear by Lat and Uzza and other idols who consider them as deities, but it is not befitting for a Muslim to swear by false gods, leaving Allah Almighty. If, out of ignorance or haste, he does so, he should recite the kalimah of tawhid (the declaration of the oneness of Allah) to make amends and negate the falsehood, because Lat and Uzza are the names of idols, and swearing by them is as if showing them reverence.
(2)
If a person knowingly swears by an idol and shows it reverence like that shown to Allah Almighty, then there is no doubt about his being a polytheist (mushrik).
(3)
Its expiation is that he should recite the kalimah of tawhid and re-enter Islam.
Wallahu al-musta‘an (4)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah writes that if someone, out of forgetfulness or ignorance, swears by Lat and Uzza, he should quickly make amends for the "word of disbelief" (kalimat al-kufr) with the "word of tawhid" (kalimat al-tawhid), because after faith, uttering a word of disbelief poses the danger of nullifying one's deeds.
(Fath al-Bari: 10/634)

Chapter of Sahih Bukhari Hadith Number: 6301: «بَابُ كُلُّ لَهْوٍ بَاطِلٌ إِذَا شَغَلَهُ عَنْ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ:»

Relation between the Chapter and the Hadith:
It is difficult to see the connection that Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established between the chapter heading and the hadith, and also with the book itself. The difficulty with the book is that being occupied with amusement (lahw) does not pertain to seeking permission (isti’dhan), and the difficulty with the hadith is how swearing by Lat and Uzza corresponds to the chapter, since there is no mention of Lat and Uzza in the chapter heading.

The first point is that the words in the chapter heading are found in a marfu’ hadith, which Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has included in the chapter heading. He did not mention the complete hadith because it did not meet his conditions. That hadith is as follows:
«عن عقبة بن عامر رضى الله عنه رفعه: كل ما يلهو به المرء المسلم باطل إلا رميه بقوسه وتأديبه فرسه و ملاعبته أهله.» (3)
“That is, every thing that distracts a Muslim is falsehood (batil), except for archery, tending to one’s horse, and jesting with one’s wife.”

The relevance of the chapter heading is connected to certain points, and what relation the chapter heading has with «كتاب الاستئذان» is discussed by Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani rahimahullah, who states that Allamah Kirmani rahimahullah said:
«وجه تعلق هذا الحديث بالترجمة، و الترجمة بالاستئذان أن الداعي إلى القمار لا ينبغي أن يؤذن له فى دخول المنزل، ثم لكونه يتضمن اجتماع الناس، و مناسبة بقية حديث الباب للترجمة أن الحلف باللات لهو يشغل عن الحق بالخلق فهو باطل.» (1)
“That is, the connection of the chapter heading with the hadith is that swearing by Lat (and Manat, etc.) is also included in ‘idle amusements’ (lahw al-hadith), which is forbidden, and the connection of the chapter with the book is that if someone invites you to gambling, he should not be granted permission to enter the house (because this is assisting in an evil act, which is amusement and is forbidden).”

Thus, from here, the relevance between the chapter heading and the hadith becomes clear.

Hadith Commentary:
Therefore, using money for gambling is forbidden (haram).
Those people who swear by their spiritual guide (pir or murshid) also fall under the purview of this hadith. Swearing an oath should be done only in the name of Allah; to swear by anything other than Allah is shirk (associating partners with Allah) — (man halafa bighayrillah faqad ashrak: "Whoever swears by other than Allah has committed shirk").
The relevance of this chapter to the Book of Seeking Permission (Kitab al-Isti’dhan) is difficult to establish, and similarly, the relevance of the hadith to the chapter heading is also unclear.
Some have interpreted the first matter as follows: one should not allow into one’s home anyone who invites to gambling. The second interpretation is that swearing by al-Lat and al-‘Uzza (idols) is also included in "idle talk" (lahw al-hadith), which is forbidden (haram).

Hadith Commentary:
The relevance of this hadith to the Book of Seeking Permission (Kitab al-Isti’dhan) is in the sense that those who invite to gambling should not be permitted to enter one’s home. Similarly, a person who occupies himself with frivolous activities is also not deserving of being invited into one’s home.
(Fath al-Bari: 11/110) (2)
The reason for the last part of this hadith is explained in another narration from Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas radi Allahu anhu. He says that we were newly converted to Islam. I swore an oath by al-Lat and al-‘Uzza, so my companions said to me:
“You have uttered a foolish and very evil thing.
Go to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and inform him.” So I went to him and related what had happened.
He said:
“You should recite this supplication:
(La ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir)
and spit lightly to your left three times.
Seek refuge with Allah from Shaytan and never do this again.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, al-Ayman wa’l-Nudhur, Hadith: 3808) (3)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah says that in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu, the phrase (La ilaha illa Allah)
refers to the complete statement as mentioned in the hadith of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas radi Allahu anhu, and it is also possible that it refers to (La ilaha illa Allah)
alone, as this too is the statement of tawhid (the oneness of Allah).
(Fath al-Bari: 11/110)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: In the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah), people used to swear oaths by their respective idols, and these oaths had become habitual on their tongues. Therefore, even after embracing Islam, sometimes such oaths would slip from their tongues unconsciously. Thus, if a person, after becoming Muslim, consciously and deliberately, out of reverence and respect for idols, swears by them, then according to Ibn al-‘Arabi al-Maliki, he will be a disbeliever (kafir). However, if he does so unconsciously, out of heedlessness, unawareness, or ignorance, then he should repeat the testimony of monotheism (kalimah al-tawhid), and according to some narrations, he should seek forgiveness (istighfar) and seek refuge (ta‘awwudh). And if he invites another to gambling, but does not actually play, then due to the intention of committing this sin, he should give charity (sadaqah) and alms (khayrat), and this is better and commendable, though not obligatory.

Imam Nawawi writes: According to us, i.e., the Shafi‘is, whoever swears by al-Lat or al-‘Uzza or any other idol, or says, “If I do this deed, then I am a Jew or a Christian, or I am disassociated from Islam or from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam,” or says anything similar, then his oath is not binding, and there is no expiation (kaffarah) upon him. Rather, repentance (tawbah), seeking forgiveness (istighfar), and repeating the testimony of monotheism (kalimah al-tawhid) are obligatory upon him, whether he actually did the deed or not. This is the position of Imam Shafi‘i, Imam Malik, and the majority of jurists (jumhur fuqaha). According to Imam Abu Hanifah rahimahullah, in all these cases expiation (kaffarah) is obligatory, except if he says, “I am an innovator (mubtadi‘),” or “I am disassociated from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam,” or “I am disassociated from Judaism.”

(Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, p. 46)

Hafiz Ibn Hajar has stated the same in Fath al-Bari (vol. 11, p. 654, Maktabah Darussalam). However, ‘Allamah Taqi Usmani and ‘Allamah Sa‘idi have written that, according to us, an oath by other than Allah is not binding. (Hidayah Awwalin, p. 459, Maktabah Imdadiyyah) also explicitly states this. However, according to ‘Allamah Taqi, if someone swears, “If I do not do this deed, then I am a disbeliever (kafir) or a Jew or a Christian,” then according to the Hanafis, this is considered an oath, because the validity of oaths is based on customary usage (‘urf), and these words are customarily considered oaths.

(Takmilah, vol. 2, p. 183)

Benefits and Issues:
Swearing an oath by other than Allah is shirk (associating partners with Allah).
If someone does this deliberately,
then there is no expiation (kaffarah) upon him, rather repentance (tawbah), seeking forgiveness (istighfar), and renewal of faith (tajdeed-e-iman) are obligatory.
However, if such words slip from the tongue unintentionally or unknowingly,
then it is sufficient for him to recite "La ilaha illallah" from the heart.
Similarly, gambling is forbidden (haram).
Its expiation is to give charity (sadaqah).
It is stated:
(إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئَاتِ) (Hud: 114) Good deeds erase bad deeds.

(1) "Laat" is the name of an idol that was placed on the Safa hill. Whoever knowingly and out of reverence swears by "Laat" or similar idols is a disbeliever (kafir). There is no difference of opinion regarding his disbelief. He will be outside the fold of Islam. For the renewal of faith, he must once again profess the testimony of Islam (kalimah). And whoever swears out of ignorance (lack of knowledge) or forgetfulness should say "La ilaha illallah" (There is no deity except Allah). By the blessing of this statement, Allah Ta'ala will compensate for his loss.

(2) "He should give charity (sadaqah)"—Gambling is an evil thing that makes a person materialistic, miserly, selfish, and hard-hearted. Therefore, the remedy for this evil act has been prescribed as charity (sadaqah), which makes a person God-fearing, generous, compassionate, and soft-hearted.

(3) How much charity (sadaqah) should be given? According to some, whatever is available. According to others, he should give in charity the amount with which he intended to gamble, whether it is little or much.

A new Muslim who, while in a state of disbelief, was accustomed to swearing oaths by other than Allah, it is possible that after embracing Islam, such polytheistic words may unintentionally slip from his tongue out of old habit, and later, upon realizing his mistake, he should reaffirm the testimony of monotheism by saying "La ilaha illallah" so that this statement becomes an expiation for his polytheistic words. However, a person does not become an apostate due to such a mistake.

Benefits:

➊ Swearing an oath by other than Allah is forbidden (haram). Likewise, even saying to someone, "Come, let us gamble," is also forbidden, and its expiation (kaffarah) is to give charity (sadaqah) according to one's ability. However, the sin of actually gambling carries a much more severe punishment.

➋ Ablution (wudu) is not nullified by obscene speech or un-Islamic utterances, nor is it established that one must rinse the mouth (do madmadah) after indecent talk. Therefore, it is necessary to abandon these evil habits and to guard one's tongue, rather than inventing new religious rulings for their removal.