Making a promise/vow without saying it verbally
Question
1. If a person promises something to Allah without verbally uttering it, is the promise binding? If he/she does not fulfill the promise will he/she be sinning?
2. If someone says to Allah that I will do such and such, but he/she did not say the word ‘promise’ to Allah and nor did he/she use the word ‘vow’ or ‘oath’. In this case, if the person does not do such and such action, will he/she be sinning?
Answer
1. If it was just a thought in the heart, it will not constitute a vow.
2. No
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.
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Source: Mufti Online — Madrasah Ta'leemuddeen — https://muftionline.co.za/node/24380
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/muftionline-24380
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