What is the ruling and expiation for one who swore an oath not to speak to a person, then spoke to them, whether the oath was sworn secretly or due to forgetting the oath?
If someone swore an oath not to speak to a person and then broke his oath, the expiation for breaking an oath (kaffarat al-) becomes obligatory upon him. This involves feeding ten poor people, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. If he is unable to do any of these, then he must fast for three days.
As for one who resolved in his heart to make an oath but did not verbalize it, it is not binding upon him, and there is no expiation required for it, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "Indeed, Allah has overlooked for my Ummah (nation) what their souls whisper to them, as long as they do not speak of it or act upon it."
And he who broke his oath out of forgetfulness, there is nothing upon him according to some scholars, and this is the prevailing legal opinion, due to the saying of Allah the Almighty: {Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.} And due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "My Ummah is forgiven for errors, forgetfulness, and what they are compelled to do."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 156257
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy