What is the ruling on expiation for an oath (kaffarat al-yamin) for someone who frequently experiences obsessive doubts (waswas) about breaking an oath, and cannot be certain about having broken it?
"Waswas" (obsessive whispering/thoughts) is a dangerous disease that corrupts one's religion and worldly life. Its only cure is to ignore it and not pay attention to it. Nothing is incumbent upon the questioner as long as she doubts whether an oath was taken or uttered, or whether it was done intentionally or unintentionally, or whether a breach occurred; because the original state is the acquittal of responsibility. The person suffering from "waswas" who takes an oath under its influence is overwhelmed in their will, thus they are considered under duress, and no oath is binding upon them. The obligation is to ignore these "waswas" and doubts.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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