What is the ruling on frequent oath-taking and breaking promises, and on using that which one has sworn upon?
We warn you against excessive swearing, as it exposes you to breaking oaths and necessitates expiation. What is incumbent upon you, according to the majority of scholars, is to count all the oaths you have broken and offer expiation for each oath. If you are not certain, then rely on your best judgment and offer what you believe will most likely absolve you. Expiations do not overlap here according to the majority of scholars.
The Hanbalis, however, are of the view that expiations do overlap, and a single expiation suffices as long as you have not offered it yet. The view of the majority is more cautious and is the one acted upon for fatwa.
The expiation is feeding ten poor people or clothing them, or freeing a slave. If you are unable to do any of these, then you must fast three days for each expiation, and it is more cautious that they be consecutive.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/172751