Does fulfilling a vow count as achieved if I vowed to invite my friend to a restaurant in a specific area in Baghdad, and then I invited her to a restaurant in another, safer area due to the circumstances?
A vow that is considered an act of devotion to God must be fulfilled, as Allah Almighty says: {And let them fulfill their vows}, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey Him." As for what is not an act of devotion, it is not obligatory to fulfill it, as in the story of Abu Isra'il. If the vow was intended as charity or another act of devotion, then it has been fulfilled by feeding [people] anywhere. But if it does not involve an act of devotion, then it is not obligatory to fulfill it. Despite the dislike for a vow contingent upon a condition, it is obligatory to fulfill it.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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