Question:
Is expiation necessary for taking a false oath about a past matter?
Answer:
Taking a false oath about a past matter does not require expiation, but such a person will be sinful. For example, if someone says, “By Allah, I lent so many rupees to such and such a person,” but did not actually lend them, then expiation is not required for this, but the person is sinful and must repent. Expiation becomes obligatory when one swears an oath about a present or future matter and then breaks it.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever swears a false oath to take wealth from a Muslim in any matter, he will meet Allah while Allah is angry with him.” Then this verse was revealed: ﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا﴾
(Those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their oaths for a small price.)
Ash’ath bin Qais (may Allah be pleased with him) came and asked: Abu Abdul Rahman (the kunya of Abdullah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him), what are you narrating? We said: We are narrating this hadith. He said: He is telling the truth. This verse was revealed concerning me. There was a dispute over land between me and a man from my tribe. I took the dispute to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he said: Bring your proof. I had no proof, so he said to the other man: Swear an oath. I said: O Messenger of Allah! He will swear. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever swears a false oath to take wealth from a Muslim in any matter, he will meet Allah while Allah is angry with him. Then this verse was revealed: ﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا﴾
(Those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their oaths for a small price.)”
