𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (256)

Are heirs required to fulfill ongoing vows? Question: A woman vowed that if Allāh healed her from her illness, she would fast three days each month. However, she passed away before fulfilling this vow. Is it then obligatory for her heirs to fast on her behalf? Sheikh Abdulhameed Az-Zu'kari ḥafidhahullāh: They are not obligated to do so, and it is preferable to avoid making such vows in the first place. The Prophet ﷺ said, ((لاَ تَنْذُرُوا فَإِنَّ النَّذْرَ لاَ يُغْنِي مِنَ الْقَدَرِ شَيْئًا وَإِنَّمَا يُسْتَخْرَجُ بِهِ مِنَ الْبَخِيلِ)) “Do not take vows, for a vow has no effect against Fate; it is only from the miserly that something is extracted.” The type of vow being discouraged here is the conditional/exchange vow, such as, “If You heal my illness, I will fast for You,” or “If You return my absent loved one, I will give charity.” Such vows are not recommended. However, if a person commits to such a vow, they are then obliged to fulfill it, [as Allāh says]: {یُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذۡرِ وَیَخَافُونَ یَوۡمࣰا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسۡتَطِیرࣰا} “They fulfill their vows and fear a day whose evil will be widespread.” [Surah Al-Insān: 7] As for unconditional vows, they are permissible. For example, one may vow to perform pilgrimage, to fast, or to give charity without attaching any conditions. This is allowed, though it is generally preferable not to make vows that create obligations upon oneself, since a vow, once made, becomes obligatory to fulfill. However, if a person becomes unable to fulfill their vow, the expiation for breaking a vow is similar to the expiation for breaking an oath, as reported in a hadith by ’Uqbah ibn ’Āmir in Sahih Muslim. The expiation for an oath includes feeding ten poor people, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. If one cannot do any of these, then they must fast for three days. @womensbenefits