35/15. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3784 — Choose Better and Expiate the Oath
Expiation Before Breaking An Oath
When a Better Choice Appears After an Oath
Sunan an-Nasai : 3784
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3784
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْقُطَعِيُّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، وَذَكَرَ، كَلِمَةً مَعْنَاهَا حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا حَلَفْتَ عَلَى يَمِينٍ فَرَأَيْتَ غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا فَكَفِّرْ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ وَائْتِ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ " .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah Narrated from:
The Prophet said: "If you swear an oath, then you see something better than it, then offer expiation for your oath, and do that which is better."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3784In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 24English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3815
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3784
This hadith teaches what to do when an oath no longer points to the best action. A person may swear to do or avoid something, then later see that another choice is better. The Prophet’s instruction is to offer expiation for the oath and do what is better. This guidance keeps two matters together. The oath is respected through expiation, and the better action is not abandoned. The hadith does not encourage careless promises or easy excuses. It addresses a real change in judgment: the person has seen a better course. For readers searching for the Islamic ruling on breaking an oath, the core message is plain. Do not cling to a weaker choice simply to preserve the original wording. Recognize the duty of kaffarah, then move toward the action that is better.
What we learn from this hadith
- A better option may be followed after an oath.
- Expiation remains part of leaving the original oath.
- An oath should not become an excuse for choosing what is less good.
- The decision should be based on seeing a genuinely better course.
