Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Is it permissible to make a vow (nadhar)?
Yes, making a vow is permissible, on the condition that it is made for the sake of Allah ﷻ.
Allah Almighty praised the righteous by saying:
﴿يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ﴾
“They fulfill their vows.”
[Surah Al-Dahr (76): Verse 7]
Sayyidunā Thābit bin Ḍaḥāk رضي الله عنه narrated:
"During the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, a man made a vow to sacrifice a camel at a place called Buwānah. He came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘I have vowed to slaughter a camel at Buwānah.’
The Prophet ﷺ asked:
❝Was there any idol worshipped there during the Days of Ignorance (Jāhiliyyah)?❞
The Companions replied: ‘No.’
He then asked: ❝Was there any festival held there during Jāhiliyyah?❞
They replied: ‘No.’
The Prophet ﷺ said:
❝Then fulfill your vow. Verily, any vow made in disobedience to Allah must not be fulfilled.❞"
Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3313
Al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr by Ṭabarānī: 2/75–76
Chain of narration: Ṣaḥīḥ (Authentic)
Sayyidunā Kardam bin Sufyān al-Thaqafī رضي الله عنه reported the wording:
«هل بها وثن أو عيد من أعياد الجاهلية؟»
“Is there an idol there, or a festival from the days of Jāhiliyyah?”
Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3315
Chain of narration: Ḥasan (Sound)
A female Companion once said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“I have vowed to slaughter an animal at such-and-such place, where the people of Jāhiliyyah used to slaughter animals.”
The Prophet ﷺ asked:
❝Did they use to sacrifice there for an idol?❞
She said: “No.”
He asked: ❝Did they sacrifice for a statue?❞
She replied: “No.”
The Prophet ﷺ then said:
❝Then fulfill your vow.❞
Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3312
Chain of narration: Ḥasan (Sound)
① Vows are permissible if they are made for Allah ﷻ alone.
② Vows must not be associated with places or practices of polytheism or pre-Islamic festivals.
③ Any vow involving disobedience to Allah is invalid and must not be fulfilled.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to make a vow (nadhar)?
✿ Answer:
Yes, making a vow is permissible, on the condition that it is made for the sake of Allah ﷻ.
Allah Almighty praised the righteous by saying:
﴿يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ﴾
“They fulfill their vows.”
[Surah Al-Dahr (76): Verse 7]❀ Evidence from Hadith:
Sayyidunā Thābit bin Ḍaḥāk رضي الله عنه narrated:
"During the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, a man made a vow to sacrifice a camel at a place called Buwānah. He came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘I have vowed to slaughter a camel at Buwānah.’
The Prophet ﷺ asked:
❝Was there any idol worshipped there during the Days of Ignorance (Jāhiliyyah)?❞
The Companions replied: ‘No.’
He then asked: ❝Was there any festival held there during Jāhiliyyah?❞
They replied: ‘No.’
The Prophet ﷺ said:
❝Then fulfill your vow. Verily, any vow made in disobedience to Allah must not be fulfilled.❞"
Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3313 Al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr by Ṭabarānī: 2/75–76 Chain of narration: Ṣaḥīḥ (Authentic)❀ Additional Report:
Sayyidunā Kardam bin Sufyān al-Thaqafī رضي الله عنه reported the wording:
«هل بها وثن أو عيد من أعياد الجاهلية؟»
“Is there an idol there, or a festival from the days of Jāhiliyyah?”
Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3315 Chain of narration: Ḥasan (Sound)❀ Another Incident:
A female Companion once said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“I have vowed to slaughter an animal at such-and-such place, where the people of Jāhiliyyah used to slaughter animals.”
The Prophet ﷺ asked:
❝Did they use to sacrifice there for an idol?❞
She said: “No.”
He asked: ❝Did they sacrifice for a statue?❞
She replied: “No.”
The Prophet ﷺ then said:
❝Then fulfill your vow.❞
Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3312 Chain of narration: Ḥasan (Sound)
Conclusion:
① Vows are permissible if they are made for Allah ﷻ alone.
② Vows must not be associated with places or practices of polytheism or pre-Islamic festivals.
③ Any vow involving disobedience to Allah is invalid and must not be fulfilled.
