83/29. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6697 — Fulfilling a Vow of I'tikaf
If somebody vowed during the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance, and then he embraces Islam
Hadith About Fulfilling a Vow of I'tikaf
Sahih Bukhari : 6697
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6697
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُقَاتِلٍ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ، قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ أَنْ أَعْتَكِفَ لَيْلَةً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ. قَالَ " أَوْفِ بِنَذْرِكَ ".
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
`Umar said "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I vowed to perform I`tikaf for one night in Al-Masjid-al-Haram, during the Pre-Islamic Period of ignorance (before embracing Islam). "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Fulfill your vow." Ibn `Umar said to the lady, "Pray on her behalf." Ibn `Abbas said the same.
[1] I'tikāf : See the glossary.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6697In-book reference : Book 83, Hadith 74USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 78, Hadith 688
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6697
This hadith about fulfilling a vow mentions Umar, who told the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that he had vowed during the pre-Islamic period to perform I'tikaf for one night in Al-Masjid al-Haram. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told him, “Fulfill your vow.” The narration shows that when a vow is connected to an act of obedience, it should be honored. The focus here is the vow of I'tikaf, staying in the mosque for worship. The hadith also shows that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave direct and practical guidance. It does not tell Umar to ignore the vow because it was made earlier. Instead, he was instructed to carry it out.
What we learn from this hadith
- A vow connected to obedience should be fulfilled.
- I'tikaf in Al-Masjid al-Haram is treated as an act of worship in this report.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave clear guidance based on the vow mentioned.
- A person should not treat vows lightly when they involve worship.
