Does Breaking an Oath Repeatedly Require Multiple Kaffaras?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
If a vow is broken before paying expiation (kaffara), is it still binding, and must it be fulfilled until paid?
If delaying kaffara and breaking the vow multiple times, is only one kaffara needed? Does breaking it repeatedly before paying count as sin each time or just the first?
If some words were accidental and others deliberate, does it count?
Does repetitive utterance from a slip of the tongue count? For recurring vows, can kaffara be paid each time, or is that sinful? If unsure about what was said or meant, assume the least obligation.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I hope you are in good health, in sha Allah. Thank you for your questions.
If a vow is broken before paying kaffara, is it still binding, and must it be fulfilled until paid?
What is your actual wording? Can you please share the actual wording of the vow?
If delaying kaffara and breaking the vow multiple times, is only one kaffara needed?
Yes, only one expiation is sufficient.
Does breaking it repeatedly before paying count as sin each time or just the first?
It will only count as sin at first.
Can you please share the actual meaning of the vow of praying with oil?
If some words were accidental and others deliberate, does it count?
No, it will not count.
Does repetitive utterance from a slip of the tongue count?
No, it will not count.
For recurring vows, can kaffarah be paid each time, or is that sinful? If unsure about what was said or meant, assume the least obligation.
If you renew your vow, you will pay kaffara. If unsure what was said or meant, there is a well-known legal principle that certainty is not removed by doubt. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
Allah Most High says, Then let them eagerly finish cleaning themselves up once again after pilgrim inviolateness, and keep their pledged vows, and circle the immemorial house ‘’ [Quran, 22:29]
Allah Most High says, ‘Allah will not call you to account for your thoughtless oaths, but He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. The penalty for a broken oath is to feed ten poor people from what you normally feed your own family, or to clothe them, or to free a bondsperson. But if none of this is affordable, then you must fast for three days.
This is the penalty for breaking your oaths. So be mindful of your oaths. This is how Allah makes things clear to you, so perhaps you will be grateful.’ [Quran, 5:89]
Uqba bin Amir reported Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) as saying, “The expiation (kaffara) for a vow (nadhr) is the same as for an oath.” [Muslim]
Uncertainty or Internal Utterance is on No Legal Consequence
In any case, it is important to note that what is considered is a verbal utterance of a phrase. An internal [1] promise (wa`d), [2] vow (nadhr), or [3] oath (yamin) is of no legal implication.
You are kindly advised to ignore doubts once you have reasonably considered the matter. Do not go back to reviewing memories, as it usually feeds doubt rather than resolving it.
And Allah knows best.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Related Answers
- How Do I Expiate for an Oath I Broke Multiple Times? — Counting expiations across repeated breaches.
- Do I Need to Pay Kaffara for Each Broken Oath? — One kaffara or several across multiple oaths.
- What Is the Right Expiation for Breaking the Oath? — The forms of expiation in order.
- Must I Pay Expiation for My Broken Promise to Allah? — Promise versus vow versus oath.
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.
