Is it permissible for the one who made a vow to donate the money she intended for a reciter, instead of hiring him, after learning of its impermissibility, and would that fulfill her vow, and what should she do if it is not permissible?

Hiring someone to recite is a matter of disagreement among jurists. Some, like the Hanafis and Hanbalis, hold that it is impermissible. According to this view, vowing to do so is not prescribed, as it constitutes a vow of disobedience. Others, like the Shafi'is and Malikis, deem it permissible. According to their opinion, vowing to hire a reciter would be considered a permissible vow, but they also hold that a permissible vow is not valid. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that none of the Imams approved of hiring someone merely for recitation; rather, their disagreement concerned the remuneration for teaching.

In summary, hiring someone merely for recitation is considered impermissible by some scholars and permissible by others. However, vowing to do so is not prescribed by anyone. This is because, for those who deem it impermissible, it falls under the category of a vow of disobedience. And for those who deem it permissible, it is considered a permissible vow, which they also hold to be invalid. Therefore, one should not undertake it, nor fulfill it if vowed. There is no expiation for it, except according to the opinion of Abu Hanifa, who holds that expiation is required for a vow of disobedience. Furthermore, there is no impediment to donating the vowed amount as charity, but one is not obligated to do so, nor does it negate the expiation for those who deem it obligatory.