Question:
Assalamualaikum, can you explain to me about the ruling which says a person must say (verbally) the word “vow” for making a vow binding? Is this ruling reliable? If it is reliable, I would follow this ruling as it seems to me easy and comfortable to follow.
Please, also give example of conditional and unconditional vows under this ruling.
Thank you.
Answer:
In order for a vow to be valid the one taking the vow must use words that indicate a vow is taking place. This can be done by using the word ‘vow’ or some other similar word or phrase. For example, a person may say, “I vow to donate £100 if I pass my test.” This is an example of a conditional vow using the the word vow. Similarly, someone might say, “Donating £100 is necessary upon me if I pass my test.” Here the word ‘vow’ was not used but the phraseology clearly indicates a vow taking place. An example of a non-conditional vow would be, “I vow to donate £100.” Here no condition is attached and the person will have to donate £100.
بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (5/ 81)
كِتَابُ النَّذْرِ)
الْكَلَامُ فِي هَذَا الْكِتَابِ فِي الْأَصْلِ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ مَوَاضِعَ: فِي بَيَانِ رُكْنِ النَّذْرِ، وَفِي بَيَانِ شَرَائِطِ الرُّكْنِ، وَفِي بَيَانِ حُكْمِ النَّذْرِ أَمَّا الْأَوَّلُ: فَرُكْنُ النَّذْرِ هُوَ الصِّيغَةُ الدَّالَّةُ عَلَيْهِ وَهُوَ قَوْلُهُ: ” لِلَّهِ عَزَّ شَأْنُهُ عَلَيَّ كَذَا، أَوْ عَلَيَّ كَذَا، أَوْ هَذَا هَدْيٌ، أَوْ صَدَقَةٌ، أَوْ مَالِي صَدَقَةٌ، أَوْ مَا أَمْلِكُ صَدَقَةٌ، وَنَحْوُ ذَلِكَ
Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow
Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel