Is expiation obligatory for excessive oaths due to obsessive-compulsive disorder that compels one to repeat acts of worship, given the inability to know the number of times one has sworn?
We advise the questioner to strive against herself by turning away from these whispers (waswas) and not paying attention to them, due to their danger. She owes expiation for every oath she is certain she broke. If she is ignorant of the number of oaths, she must investigate and act upon her best judgment. The Hanbalis hold that one expiation suffices for all such oaths if she has not expiated for any of them, but the view of the majority of scholars is more preponderant. If the oath or its breaking occurred under the influence of waswas, to the extent that she was overwhelmed in her mental faculties, then no expiation is due upon her.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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