What is the ruling on swearing by the Prophet for the purpose of seeking hope, not for the purpose of making an oath?

An oath is a vow, and swearing by other than Allah the Almighty is impermissible by the consensus of scholars. This is supported by authentic hadiths, including:

- From Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, Allah forbids you from swearing by your fathers. Whoever swears, let him swear by Allah, or else remain silent."

- From Ibn Umar: He heard a man swear, "No, by the Kaaba," so Ibn Umar said to him: "I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: 'Whoever swears by other than Allah has committed polytheism.'"

The majority of imams, such as Malik, Shafi'i, Abu Hanifa, and others, hold that an oath by a created being is never valid, and one should never swear by a created being. This is the correct view.

The prohibition of swearing by other than Allah is because swearing by something necessitates its glorification, and true glory belongs to Allah alone.