Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says: When one does not mention the name of a vow (nazr), it is a severe oath, and upon it will be imposed the greatest (most severe) expiation among the expiations.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) says: Whoever says, "I make a vow for Allah," but does not mention His name, then it is obligatory upon him to free a slave.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) states that when a person says, "I have taken a vow upon myself," but does not specify it by name, then upon him is the expiation that comes after, then the one that comes after that, and then the one that comes after that.

Ibrahim says that the expiation for a vow which has not been specified by name is the same as the expiation for an oath.

Hazrat Ibn al-Musayyib says that when a person says, "It is a vow upon me," then fulfilling the vow becomes obligatory upon him.

Hazrat Jabir bin Zaid says that when a person says, "I have made a vow," then if he specifies by name, it is for the one whom he has specified, and if he intends someone in his heart, then it is for the one whom he has intended, and if he has not specified anyone, then he should fast for one day or perform two units of prayer.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says: When a person says, "I have made a vow upon myself," and does not specify it, then it is a severe oath; he should free a slave, or fast for sixty days, or feed sixty needy people. Hasan says that it is an oath, and expiation will be due upon it.

It is narrated from Hazrat Uqbah bin Aamir that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever makes a vow but does not specify it by name, then upon him is the expiation for an oath.

Hazrat Sha’bah says that I asked Hazrat Hakam and Hazrat Hammad about a person who made a vow but did not specify it by name? Both of them replied that expiation (kaffarah) is obligatory upon him.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) states that there are four types of vows: If a person makes a vow but does not specify it, then its expiation is the expiation for an oath; and if someone makes a vow to commit a sin, then its expiation is the expiation for an oath; and if someone makes a vow for something which he does not have the ability to fulfill, then its expiation is the expiation for an oath; and if someone makes a vow for something which he has the ability to fulfill, then he should fulfill his vow.

Hazrat Ikrimah says: That vow which has not been specified is a severe oath.