What is the ruling on vows, how should they be dealt with, and is it permissible to distribute them among siblings?

Scholars have differed regarding the ruling on making vows (nadhr), with opinions ranging from reprehensibility (karahah) to permissibility (ibahah) and prohibition (tahreem). The preponderant view is that it is reprehensible, due to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) prohibition of it and his saying: "It does not avert anything; rather, it is used to extract from the miser."

However, if a Muslim makes a vow, he is obliged to fulfill it, unless it is a vow of disobedience, in which case it is not permissible to fulfill it. If someone vows to give charity but does not specify individuals or a specific recipient, he may give it to whomever he wishes. But if he specifies a recipient, a person, or a characteristic, he is not permitted to disburse the vow to others unless it becomes impossible to deliver it to them.