35/41. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3845 — Two Types of Vows
Expiation For Vows
Two Types of Vows: Obedience and Disobedience
Sunan an-Nasai : 3845
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3845
أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ رَجُلٍ، مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ قَالَ صَحِبْتُ عِمْرَانَ بْنَ حُصَيْنٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " النَّذْرُ نَذْرَانِ فَمَا كَانَ مِنْ نَذْرٍ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ فَذَلِكَ لِلَّهِ وَفِيهِ الْوَفَاءُ وَمَا كَانَ مِنْ نَذْرٍ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَذَلِكَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلاَ وَفَاءَ فِيهِ وَيُكَفِّرُهُ مَا يُكَفِّرُ الْيَمِينَ " .
It was narrated from Muhammad bin Az-Zubair, from his father, from a man from the inhabitants of Al-Basrah, who said: "I accompanied 'Imran bin Husain, who said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah say: Vows are of two types: A vow that is made to do an act of obedience to Allah; that is for Allah and must be fulfilled, and a vow that is made to do an act of disobedience to Allah; that is for Shaitan and should not be fulfilled, and its expiation is the expiation for an oath.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3845In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 85English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3876
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3845
This hadith divides vows into two clear types. A vow made to obey Allah is for Allah and must be fulfilled. A vow made to disobey Allah is described as being for Shaitan and must not be fulfilled. The narration then says that the expiation for the disobedient vow is the expiation for an oath. This gives a simple way to understand Islamic vows: look at what the vow requires. If it calls for obedience, the text says to fulfill it. If it calls for disobedience, the text says not to fulfill it. For searches such as types of vows in Islam, fulfilling a vow to Allah, and sinful vow kaffarah, this narration contains all three points in one direct statement.
What we learn from this hadith
- A vow of obedience to Allah must be fulfilled.
- A vow of disobedience must not be fulfilled.
- The text describes a disobedient vow as being for Shaitan.
- Its expiation is the same as the expiation for an oath.
