Is it considered ẓihār or an expiation for an oath if someone who has repented from a sin with the intention of not returning to it, secretly said: "If I return to it, then my wife is to me as the back of my mother"? And if it is ẓihār, is expiation still incumbent upon him after 14 years have passed and he has had children, especially if he returned to the sin after this oath?

If one suspends Dhihar (a form of divorce by likening one's wife to an unmarriageable female relative) on the occurrence of an action, the ruling of Dhihar takes effect when that action occurs, and expiation becomes obligatory before touching the wife. If he touches her before expiation, repentance and seeking forgiveness become incumbent upon him, along with the obligation of expiation. This does not affect the lineage of children to him.