What is the ruling on one who vowed not to watch pornographic films, then watched them, and what is the expiation for that?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Abandoning the viewing of pornography is a religious obligation. Vowing to abandon it reinforces this obligation. The majority of scholars hold that a vow to abandon something forbidden is not binding, and all that is required is repentance and seeking forgiveness. It is more prudent to offer an expiation for an oath, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "The expiation for a vow is the expiation for an oath." This involves feeding ten poor people, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. If one cannot find these, then fasting for three days.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/129194
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 129194
- 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