Is it permissible to make a vow to fast days as expiation for a repeated sin in order to deter oneself from it?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Undertaking a vow is dislikable (). This type of vow is called a "vow of obstinacy" ( al-lajaj). A Muslim must fear Allah and keep away from disobeying Him. If a Muslim breaks this vow, he must offer an expiation for an oath (kaffarat ) instead of fasting, according to the more preponderant opinion. Alternatively, he has the choice between expiation and fulfilling the vow, according to some scholars. Fulfilling the vow does not expiate the sin; rather, repentance from the sin is required by abandoning it, regretting it, and resolving not to return to it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/78099
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 78099
- 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