Ruling on Swearing an Oath by One’s Father in Islam

Source​

Taken from: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpuri

Question​

What is the ruling on taking an oath in the name of one’s father?

Answer​

Taking an oath in the name of one’s father is ḥarām (forbidden) and unlawful.

Evidence from the Sunnah​

❀ Sayyidunā ʿAbd al-Raḥmān bin Samurah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Noble Prophet ﷺ said:

لا تحلفوا بآبائكم ولا بالطواغيت

“Do not swear oaths by your fathers, nor by idols.”

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1648

❀ Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh bin ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated:

The Prophet ﷺ heard ʿUmar رضي الله عنه saying, “By my father! By my father!” So the Prophet ﷺ said:

إن الله ينهاكم أن تحلفوا بآبائكم

“Indeed, Allah forbids you from swearing oaths by your fathers.”

ʿUmar رضي الله عنه said: “By Allah! After that, I never swore by it—neither on my own nor while narrating from someone else.”

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6647

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1646

Conclusion​

Swearing an oath by one’s father is explicitly prohibited by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. After this prohibition, the Companions completely abandoned such oaths, demonstrating that only Allah’s Name may be used for swearing an oath.