What is the ruling on vows, what is the ruling on not fulfilling them, what is their expiation, and do they lapse after many long years?

Scholars have differed on the ruling concerning vows (nadhr) with several opinions. The reason for their disagreement stems from their differing understandings of the hadith prohibiting vows, which states that a vow "does not avert anything, but rather extracts from the stingy." The best interpretation for those who consider it desirable is that it applies to a purely righteous vow, such as saying: "For Allah's sake, I commit to doing such and such." There is also an opinion that differentiates between a vow of recompense (nadhr al-mujazaah), deeming it disliked, and an initiatory vow (nadhr al-ibtidaa'), deeming it a desirable act of obedience. If a vow is made, it becomes obligatory to fulfill it, unless it is a vow of disobedience, in which case it is impermissible to fulfill it. Expiation (kaffarah) is required if the person who made the vow is unable to fulfill it, and the vow does not lapse with the passage of time.