35/15. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3783 — Expiation Before the Better Action
Expiation Before Breaking An Oath
Oath Expiation Before Doing What Is Better
Sunan an-Nasai : 3783
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3783
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَفَّانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرُ بْنُ حَازِمٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْحَسَنَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ سَمُرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِذَا حَلَفْتَ عَلَى يَمِينٍ فَكَفِّرْ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ ثُمَّ ائْتِ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ " .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: 'If you swear an oath, offer expiation for your oath, then do that which is better.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3783In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 23English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3814
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3783
This narration states the guidance in a very direct order. If a person swears an oath, the person should offer expiation for that oath and then do what is better. The focus is on correcting a decision responsibly. An oath is not treated as meaningless, because expiation is required. At the same time, the person is not told to remain trapped in a choice that is no longer the better one. The hadith therefore gives a practical answer to a common question about oath expiation in Islam. When the better course is known, the believer should not use the oath as an excuse to avoid it. The wording also highlights sequence in this narration: expiation is mentioned before carrying out the better action. The central teaching remains clear—honor the seriousness of the oath while moving toward what is better.
What we learn from this hadith
- The narration mentions expiation before carrying out the better action.
- A better course should not be abandoned merely because of an earlier oath.
- The oath still carries responsibility and should not be ignored.
- Correcting a choice can be done in an orderly and accountable way.
