I Swore to Quit College If I Failed. Can I Return, and Is My Oath Binding?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I swore, “Wallahi, if I fail this semester, I won’t continue college.” I failed but want to pursue college again. Is this oath binding, and what should I do?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Once you start college, you will have to give an expiation (kaffara). The oath should not stop you from going. Resume your education and give the expiation.

Expiation for a Broken Oath

The expiation for a broken oath is:
– to free a slave (no relevance in our times now) or
– to feed ten adult poor people two meals a day for ten days or
– cloth ten adult poor people with an average quality garment which will cover most of their body.

If these are not possible, then

– one must fast three days in a row.

Allah Most High give you every success in this World and the Next.

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
– Oaths Archives
–What Is the Expiation (Kaffara) of Breaking an Oath?

I pray this helps answer your question.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.