Is a Vow to Donate Income Above a Set Amount from Specific Sources a Binding Nadhr?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
Is a vow to donate income above a fixed, manageable amount from specific sources a binding nadhr? Does it apply only to those sources? And what is required if one source is later abandoned?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah keep you in well-being and faith. Thank you for your question.
Yes. If you make a vow (nadhr) to Allah, it becomes binding.
In the Hanafi school, a nadhr is a self-imposed obligation for the sake of Allah. If you clearly say, “I vow to Allah that…” then you must fulfill it as you have stated. [Mawsuli, al-Ikhtiyar]
If you made the vow about specific sources of income, such as freelance work or rental income, then the obligation applies only to those sources. It does not include your salary or other income. The wording of your vow sets its limits.
If you vowed to donate any income above a set monthly amount from those sources, then you must give the amount that exceeds that figure, from those sources, in the time you mentioned.
If you later stop one of those sources, such as ending freelance work, then the vow no longer applies to that source.
There is nothing to donate from a source that does not produce income. The vow is not broken; it simply does not apply when there is no income.
Fulfill What You Have Vowed
The principle is that a vow follows your wording. Review how you expressed your vow.
Apply your vow to those sources, in the period you set, and above the threshold you mentioned. If you missed donations from past amounts, calculate them and give them, even if gradually.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Related
- How Do I Know If I Made a Vow or an Intention?
- Promises vs Vows and Oaths
- How Can I Fulfill a Vow to Give Charity If I Can No Longer Afford It?
- Fulfilling a Religious Vow (Nadhr) To Do a Desired Task
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
