35/15. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3782 — Expiate the Oath and Choose Better
Expiation Before Breaking An Oath
Kaffarah for an Oath: Look for the Better Action
Sunan an-Nasai : 3782
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3782
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْمُعْتَمِرُ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا حَلَفَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَلَى يَمِينٍ فَرَأَى غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا فَلْيُكَفِّرْ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَلْيَنْظُرِ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ فَلْيَأْتِهِ " .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "If any one of you swears an oath, then he sees something better than it, let him offer expiation for his oath, and look at what is better and do it."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3782In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 22English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3813
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3782
This hadith gives a simple process for someone who has sworn an oath and later sees a better choice. First, the person should offer expiation for the oath. Then the person should look carefully at what is better and do it. The wording encourages thoughtful action rather than blind attachment to a past statement. It also shows that oath expiation is tied to responsibility, not to treating an oath lightly. The person recognizes the oath, fulfills its expiation, and moves toward the better course. This is why the hadith is often sought under terms such as kaffarah for an oath, breaking an oath in Islam, and choosing the better action. Its lesson is balanced: words matter, but when a better choice becomes clear, Islam provides a way to correct the course without ignoring the duty created by the oath.
What we learn from this hadith
- Offer expiation when leaving an oath for a better action.
- Consider which available action is truly better.
- Do not remain with a poorer choice only because of an earlier oath.
- Treat the oath seriously by completing its expiation.
