84/9. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6719 — Better Choice After an Oath
To say: “In sha’ Allah” while taking an oath
Expiating an Oath and Choosing the Better Action
Sahih Bukhari : 6719
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6719
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النُّعْمَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، وَقَالَ، " إِلاَّ كَفَّرْتُ يَمِينِي، وَأَتَيْتُ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ ". أَوْ " أَتَيْتُ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ، وَكَفَّرْتُ ".
Hammad Narrated from:
Narrated Hammad: the same narration above (i.e. 709), "I make expiation for my dissolved oath, and I do what is better, or do what is better and make expiation."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6719In-book reference : Book 84, Hadith 12USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 79, Hadith 710
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6719
This short narration gives another wording of the previous report about oath expiation. It says either, “I make expiation for my oath and do what is better,” or “I do what is better and make expiation.” The wording is brief, but its meaning is tied to the same practical lesson: when someone has sworn to one thing and later sees a better option, the oath is not treated carelessly. It is handled with expiation, and the better action is done. For anyone searching for a hadith about breaking an oath for something better, this narration is useful because it preserves the two wordings while keeping the same core teaching.
What we learn from this hadith
- A better action may be chosen after an oath when expiation is made.
- The narration preserves two close wordings of the same teaching.
- Oaths should be treated seriously, not ignored.
- Doing better and making expiation are both mentioned.
