Respecting a Muslim’s Oath and Its Expiation
By: Imran Ayyub Lahori
1. Fulfilling a Fellow Muslim’s Oath
It is the right of a Muslim over another Muslim that if he places him under an oath, he should fulfill it — unless it involves sin. Breaking such an oath requires the kaffārah (expiation) that Allah ﷻ has mentioned in His Noble Book.
Evidence from Ḥadīth
① Ḥaḍrat al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us with seven things, one of which was:
“وَإِبْرَارُ الْمُقْسِمِ“
“To fulfill the oath of the one who places you under oath.”
[Al-Bukhārī: 5863 – Kitāb al-Libās; Al-Tirmidhī: 2809; Al-Nasāʾī: 1939]
② Ḥaḍrat ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) narrated:
A woman gave her dates as a gift. The Prophet ﷺ ate some of them and left some. The woman said: “I put you under oath to eat the rest.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“أَبْرِيهَا، فَإِنَّ الْإِثْمَ عَلَى الْمُحِنِتِ“
“Fulfill her request, for the sin is upon the one who imposes the oath.”
[Aḥmad: 6/114]
2. Kaffārah for Breaking an Oath
The expiation is as mentioned in the Qur’an [Al-Māʾidah: 89]:
- Feed ten needy people from the average of what you feed your families, or
- Clothe them, or
- Free a slave.
If unable to do so, fast three days.
✅ Summary:
- It is recommended to fulfill another Muslim’s oath, provided it does not involve sin.
- If one breaks his oath, he must offer the kaffārah prescribed in the Qur’an.
