Mistakenly Taking An Oath

· 26 Jumada II 1447 AH1 min readEnglish
Vows & Oaths

Question

If a person, completely by mistake, without even realizing that it is an oath, and without intending to take an oath, uses the word “Wallah” when speaking about doing something in the future, will it be regarded as an oath? If the action is done in the future, will Kaffaarah be necessary?

Answer

Fuqaha state that an oath will be enacted whether it was said intentionally, unintentionally, mistakenly, or by coercion. As such, in the queried scenario, it will be regarded as an oath and Kaffarah will be necessary if the action is carried out in the future.

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

وأما اليمين بالله فلا يتوقف عليها أى على النية فينعقد إذا حلف عامدا أو ساهيا أو مخطياً أو مكرها، وكذا إذا فعل المحلوف عليه كذلك الخ. (الأشباه والنظائر ص:٤٨)

والمعتبر في الأيمان الألفاظ دون الأغراض . (البحر الرائق ٥٠١/٤)

Answered by
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
Checked & approved by
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb
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