Is God's promise to perform a supererogatory act with the intention of compelling oneself to it considered a vow (nadhr)? And does a vow uttered after a period of silence and saying "Insha'Allah (God willing)" take effect? What is the ruling on a vow made under the duress of obsessive-compulsive disorder (waswas)? And what is the ruling on a vow when in doubt about having said "Insha'Allah" after it?
A promise is not a vow (), and it is recommended to fulfill it, especially between a servant and their Lord. The exception in a vow, an oath (), and dhihar (a pre-Islamic form of divorce) is valid, provided it is immediately connected to them without any intervening extraneous speech or a prolonged silence. A vow made under the influence of obsessive whisperings (waswasah) is not binding if the waswasah has removed free choice; otherwise, it is binding. Doubting an exception is treated like not having made an exception at all, and the default is its absence. It is advised to disregard obsessive whisperings and seek Allah's help.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
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