What is an oath of obstinacy, and is it obligatory to fulfill it, or is expiation for an oath sufficient?

A Vow of Obstinacy and Anger (Nadhru Al-Lajaj wal Ghadab) is that which resembles an oath, wherein the one making the vow intends thereby to urge himself or others, or to prevent something, or to confirm or deny a piece of news. Scholars have differed regarding what is incumbent upon the one who makes such a vow:

- Some jurists hold that he has the choice between fulfilling what he vowed or offering expiation for it, similar to the expiation for breaking an oath. This is the view of the Shafi'is and Hanbalis, and one narration from Abu Hanifa. - Some jurists are of the opinion that he must fulfill what he vowed. This is the view of the Malikis, and one narration from Abu Hanifa. - Some jurists hold that only the expiation for breaking an oath is incumbent upon him. This is a saying narrated from Umar, Ibn Abbas, Aisha, and others.

Those who advocate for the choice or expiation have cited prophetic hadiths, among them: "There is no vow in anger, and its expiation is the expiation of an oath." They also argue that it falls under the general meaning of Allah's saying: "But He will take you to task for what you have deliberately sworn to. Its expiation is the feeding of ten poor people" [Al-Ma'idah: 89].