Is what I mentioned considered a vow even though I didn't win the competition, and is it possible for a vow not to be fulfilled, and why? And are there specific words for someone who wishes to make a vow?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
What you said is considered a conditional vow ( mu'allaq), which is disliked (makrooh). It is not obligatory to fulfill it unless the condition upon which it was suspended is met. So, if you do not win the prize, you are not obligated to fulfill it. A vow may not be fulfilled due to a wisdom Allah wills, and it is valid with any words that indicate commitment to it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/149501
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 149501
- 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