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He owes many expiations for breaking oaths (kafaarat yameen) but he does not know what some of them are

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Publication : 18-09-2004

Views : 10050

Question

I owe many expiations for breaking oaths, some of which I know and some I do not know, because I often swear to do something then break that oath. This has become a habit with me. How can I expiate for that even though there are many of them?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

What is required of the Muslim is to take the matter of oaths seriously, by not swearing many of them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And make not Allaah’s (Name) an excuse in your oaths”

[al-Baqarah 2:224]

So do not swear oaths except when necessary. The Muslim must protect his oath by offering expiation if he wants to do something other than what he swore to do, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “By Allaah, if Allaah wills, I do not swear an oath and then see something that is better than it but I offer expiation for my oath and do that which is better, or I do that which is better and offer expiation for my oath.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim in their Saheehs. This version was narrated by al-Bukhaari. It was also narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Nasaa’i, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah and Imam Ahmad. 

With regard to numerous oaths, if they all had to do with the same thing, then expiation only needs to be offered once. For example, if you said, “By Allaah, I will not speak to So and so,” and you said that many times, then you spoke to him, then you only have to offer expiation once. 

But if you swore oaths regarding several things, such as if you said, “By Allaah, I will not speak to So and so,” then you spoke to him, and you said, “By Allaah, I will not travel to such and such a place,” then you went there, and so on, then for each oath you have to offer expiation. And you should try to be on the safe side by offering expiation for whatever you think is most likely to be the case, so that will have discharged your duty. 

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. 

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Source: From Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Ifta’, 23/49