Is it permissible to substitute a vow with charity given to sanitation workers instead of the school's female staff, due to forgetting and being unable to fulfill it at the present time?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The phrasing "If I pass the exam, I will give charity to the school's female staff" is considered a promise, not a vow (). It is commendable to fulfill it, especially if the promise is related to obedience to Allah, but its fulfillment is not legally binding. However, if the phrasing is "If I pass the exam, it is a duty upon me for Allah to give charity" or anything that indicates commitment, then it is a vow (nadhr) that must be fulfilled by giving charity to those named "the school's female staff." There is no need to rush the fulfillment unless a specific time has been set for 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/157358
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 157358
- 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