Is a vow considered binding if one forgets whether it was uttered or if it was merely a thought?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is true that a vow spoken to oneself is not binding, and one is not obligated to fulfill it. Its ruling appears to be similar to someone who doubts whether they made a vow or not, because the default is that no vow was made. So, if it is not certain that you uttered it, your vow is not binding. However, fulfilling it is more prudent.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/57490
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 57490
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy