Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Is it necessary to fulfill an oath taken on a recommended (mustahabb) act?
If one takes an oath to perform a permissible or recommended (mustahabb) act, then fulfilling this oath becomes obligatory. If it is not fulfilled, expiation (kaffārah) will be required.
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❀ Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَاحْفَظُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾
(Surah Al-Mā’idah: 89)
“And guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.”
① Taking an oath on a mustahabb (recommended) deed renders it binding.
② Breaking such an oath without a valid excuse requires kaffārah (expiation), as per the teachings of the Qur'an.
③ Oaths must be preserved and respected according to the command of Allah ﷻ.
❖ Question:
Is it necessary to fulfill an oath taken on a recommended (mustahabb) act?
✿ Answer:
If one takes an oath to perform a permissible or recommended (mustahabb) act, then fulfilling this oath becomes obligatory. If it is not fulfilled, expiation (kaffārah) will be required.
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◈ Evidence from the Qur'an:
❀ Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَاحْفَظُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾
(Surah Al-Mā’idah: 89)
“And guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.”
Summary:
① Taking an oath on a mustahabb (recommended) deed renders it binding.
② Breaking such an oath without a valid excuse requires kaffārah (expiation), as per the teachings of the Qur'an.
③ Oaths must be preserved and respected according to the command of Allah ﷻ.
