35/41. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3851 — Vows Must Be Lawful and Within Your Possession
Expiation For Vows
Lawful Vows and the Limit of Ownership
Sunan an-Nasai : 3851
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3851
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَيُّوبُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ نَذْرَ فِي مَعْصِيَةٍ وَلاَ فِيمَا لاَ يَمْلِكُ ابْنُ آدَمَ " .
'Imran bin Husain Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "There is no vow to commit an act of disobedience or with regard to that which the son of Adam does not possess."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3851In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 91English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3882
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3851
This hadith gives two clear restrictions on vows. The Messenger of Allah says there is no vow in disobedience and no vow concerning what the son of Adam does not possess. A person therefore cannot use a vow to make a sinful act acceptable, and he cannot bind himself through something that is not his to control. The narration is short and does not mention a separate expiation in this wording. Its value is the clarity of the limits it sets. People looking for an Islamic hadith about vows, ownership, or promises involving forbidden acts can understand the rule directly from the text: a vow must stay within obedience to Allah and within what a person actually possesses.
What we learn from this hadith
- A lawful vow cannot be based on disobedience.
- A person should not vow over what he does not possess.
- A promise does not give control over another person’s property or rights.
- This wording states the limits without adding an expiation detail.
