26/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1640a — Do Not Take Vows Against Fate
The Prohibition Of Vows, And Confirmation That They Do Not Avert Anything
Hadith About Vows and Fate: Do Not Rely on a Vow
Sahih Muslim : 1640a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1640a
وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، - يَعْنِي الدَّرَاوَرْدِيَّ - عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تَنْذُرُوا فَإِنَّ النَّذْرَ لاَ يُغْنِي مِنَ الْقَدَرِ شَيْئًا وَإِنَّمَا يُسْتَخْرَجُ بِهِ مِنَ الْبَخِيلِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Heraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Do not take vows, for a vow has no effect against Fate; it is only from the miserly that something is extracted.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1640aIn-book reference : Book 26, Hadith 7USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 14, Hadith 4023
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1640a
This hadith about vows and fate gives a direct command: do not take vows. Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) explained that a vow has no effect against Fate. It only extracts something from the miserly person. This is a strong lesson in how Muslims should think about qadar. A vow is not a way to overcome Allah’s decree. It should not be used as a bargain, as though a person can force a result by promising something later. The text also highlights a problem in the heart: a person may hold back until a vow pushes him to give. The better lesson from the wording is to trust Allah and be ready to give without needing that pressure.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said not to take vows in this report.
- A vow has no effect against Fate.
- The narration links vows with extracting from the miserly.
- Trust in Allah’s decree should not be replaced by bargaining.
