❖ Shar‘i Ruling on Delaying Fulfillment of a Vow Upon Recovery ❖
This writing is excerpted from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women” based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
A person vowed that he would fast five days if he recovered from an illness. When Allah granted him healing, he began to delay fulfilling the vow despite the fact that all conditions of the vow had been met.
The vow in this case falls under the category of نذر طاعت (a vow of obedience)—such as:
✔ Fulfilling such a vow is obligatory (wājib).
If the vow is conditional—such as being tied to recovery from illness or returning safely from a journey—then:
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen ḥafiẓahullāh)
This writing is excerpted from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women” based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
A person vowed that he would fast five days if he recovered from an illness. When Allah granted him healing, he began to delay fulfilling the vow despite the fact that all conditions of the vow had been met.
- What is the Islamic ruling on such a person?
- Since he did not specify any particular dates for the fasting,
– Is it necessary for him to fast five days consecutively?
– And is any expiation (kaffārah) due to the delay in fulfilling the vow?
He does not deny having made the vow.
❖ Answer:
The vow in this case falls under the category of نذر طاعت (a vow of obedience)—such as:
- Fasting,
- Charity,
- Iʿtikāf,
- Ḥajj,
- Recitation of Qur’an, etc.
❖ Ruling:
✔ Fulfilling such a vow is obligatory (wājib).
If the vow is conditional—such as being tied to recovery from illness or returning safely from a journey—then:
- It is incumbent to fulfill it promptly,
- However, if it is delayed but eventually fulfilled, there is no sin incurred.
❖ Additional Points:
- If the vowed act was not time-specific (i.e., no fixed dates were mentioned), then:
– The person may fast on any five separate days,
– It is not obligatory to fast five days consecutively. - No expiation (kaffārah) is required just for the delay, provided the vow is eventually fulfilled.
- However, it is recommended to fulfill the vow without unnecessary delay, so that a Muslim remains prompt in fulfilling obligations.
- If the person dies before fulfilling the vow, then it becomes incumbent upon his heirs to fulfill it on his behalf.
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen ḥafiẓahullāh)
