Hadith on Vows, Obey Allah, Never Disobey Him
📖Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6700
Aisha reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey Him. Whoever vows to disobey Allah, he must not disobey Him.
Explanation
This hadith teaches that if a person makes a vow (nadhr) to do something pleasing to Allah, they must fulfill it. But if someone vows to do something sinful, they must not carry it out, because obedience to Allah always comes first.
Examples of Vows of Obedience (Good Actions)
- Praying extra voluntary prayers (Nafl or Tahajjud)
- Fasting extra days for Allah
- Giving charity for His sake
- Helping the poor and needy
- Avoiding sinful acts like lying, cheating, or harming others
Examples of Vows of Disobedience (Forbidden Actions)
- Vowing to commit adultery
- Vowing to drink alcohol
- Vowing to kill someone without justice
- Vowing to cut family ties
- Vowing to hate or harm someone unjustly
Such vows are invalid and sinful to fulfill.
Qur’an Context
📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177)
“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask, and for freeing slaves; and who establishes prayer and gives zakah; those who fulfill their promise when they promise; and those who are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.”
This verse emphasizes fulfilling promises and vows made for good, as part of true righteousness.
📖Surah An-Nahl (16:91)
“And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allah a witness over you. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.”
This stresses the importance of keeping lawful vows and never using Allah’s name in vain.