Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpuri
❀ The Command of Allah Almighty is:
﴿وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًا﴾
[Al-Isrāʾ (Banī Isrāʾīl): 34]
Translation:
“And fulfill the covenant; indeed, the covenant will be questioned about.”
Question:
An oath was taken that the debt would be repaid on a particular day, but it could not be repaid. What is the ruling in this case?Answer:
This is not the type of oath for which expiation (kaffārah) becomes obligatory. Rather, this oath was taken as a form of assurance; in other words, it is considered a promise. If such a person deliberately does not repay the debt, then he will be sinful due to breaking the promise. However, no expiation for an oath is required upon him.❀ The Command of Allah Almighty is:
﴿وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًا﴾
Translation:
“And fulfill the covenant; indeed, the covenant will be questioned about.”