Swear Only by Allah and Speak the Truth
📖Sunan Abi Dawud 3248
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not swear an oath by your father, nor your mothers, nor by rivals to Allah. Do not swear an oath unless it is by Allah and you are honest.”
This hadith warns against swearing oaths by anything other than Allah. In pre-Islamic Arabia, people commonly swore by their ancestors, idols, or other objects of reverence. The Prophet ﷺ corrected this practice by teaching that an oath should only be taken in the name of Allah, and it must be truthful.
Meaning of “rivals to Allah”
“Rivals to Allah” refers to anything set up as equal to Allah in devotion, reverence, or authority. This includes idols, deities, or even people that are given a place of worship or obedience that belongs only to Allah. Swearing by them is a form of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Lessons for Today
- Oaths are serious and should only be taken in the name of Allah.
- Swearing by parents, children, saints, graves, or anything else is forbidden in Islam.
- Truthfulness is essential — even when swearing by Allah, one must be honest.
- This hadith teaches us to purify our speech, ensuring it reflects Tawheed (Oneness of Allah).
Quranic Context
📖Quran 16:51
Allah has said, “Do not take two gods. He is but One God. So fear only Me.”
Allah commands Muslims not to associate partners with Him, whether in worship or in speech. Swearing by rivals to Allah contradicts this principle.
📖Quran 2:224
And do not make your oaths by Allah an excuse against being righteous, fearing Him, and making peace among people. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
This verse reminds us that swearing by Allah is not a casual matter, and oaths should never be misused or spoken falsely.
📖Quran 6:162
Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
This verse reinforces that all acts – including speech and oaths – must be directed to Allah alone, without rivals.