Is it permissible to offer expiation for a vow when one is able to fulfill it but does not wish to, and does expiation nullify the vow in this case?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
An expiation does not suffice for a vow of obedience if the one who made the vow is able to fulfill it. He must fulfill it in the manner he vowed, unless he becomes completely and hopelessly unable to fulfill it, in which case an expiation for a broken oath (kaffarat ) becomes obligatory upon him. As for a vow of contention (nathr al-lajaj) and a vow concerning permissible matters (nathr al-), the one who made the vow has the choice between fulfilling it or offering an expiation for a broken oath. As for a vow of disobedience, it is forbidden to fulfill it, and its maker must offer an expiation for a broken oath.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/92804
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 92804
- 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