Q: I made an oath that I won’t do a particular thing in my life ever again at any time in the future. If I do, I will become a kaafir. In the Tamil language any time gives the meaning of whenever, anytime in the future also used instead of whenever. I don’t know exact what I meant. Some times I feel like I might have used whenever word also. Now how can I be free from this oath. Does that mean I will become kaafir whenever I doit ?
A: One should refrain from making such serious statements. However, through breaking the oath, the kaffarah for breaking the oath will become compulsory and one will not become a kaafir. You should refrain from taking such an oath in the future.
Note: This law is in the case where one had knowledge of the Islamic ruling that such a statement constitutes an oath and through breaking it kaffarah becomes compulsory and one does not become a kaafir. However, if at the time of taking the oath one was ignorant of the Islamic ruling and one believed that he will become a kaafir if he breaks the oath, then through breaking the oath he will become a kaafir.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)