What is the ruling of Islamic law on uttering a letter from the letters of a vow without uttering the entire word of the vow or specifying what is vowed, and is expiation obligatory when typing the word "نذر" (vow) on an internet browser without the intention of vowing, then typing "نذر اللجاج" (vow of obstinacy/anger) next to it to avoid expiation?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Uttering a letter or writing the word "" (vow) does not constitute a vow, especially if the object of the vow is not mentioned, because a vow is only binding when expressed in a formula that indicates commitment to an act of devotion that is not obligatory. Therefore, no expiation is required for what was uttered or written, due to the absence of a formula of commitment and mention of the object of the vow. A vow is a commitment made by speech, not merely by intention, and it requires an utterance that conveys commitment.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/134520
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 134520
- 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