What Should I Do About Doubtful Past Oaths?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I made many promises in the past, but now I regret them and am unsure if they were made before or after puberty, whether I used Allah’s name, or if I fulfilled them. I don’t remember the exact wording or reasons for these promises.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Since you’re unsure whether you made them before or after puberty and whether you used Allah’s name, along with the exact wording, there’s no need to worry; it won’t be considered an oath. Just leave it as is, avoid overthinking, and stay assured.

One should disregard waswas-related oaths to avoid unnecessary hardship. Allah Most High says in the Quran, “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”[2:185]

“Certainty is not lifted by a doubt.” [Ibn Nujaym, al-Ashbah wa’l Nadha’ir; Majallat al-Ahkam al-‘Adiliyya]

Legal Distinction Between a Promise to Allah and an Oath by Allah

A promise “to Allah” is legally a promise, whereas a promise “by Allah” is legally an oath.

One should avoid unnecessary promises and oaths, as doing so burdens oneself with unnecessary commitments.

I request you not to dwell on the past; your anxiety will spread to other areas as well. Islam does not want you to suffer from constant uncertainty.

Shaytan sometimes causes a person to doubt the basics until life becomes unbearable. So, ignore past oath-related doubts, and don’t let worry and anxiety take over.

And Allah knows best.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers

Is There a Difference Between Breaking an Oath and Breaking a Promise? — The core distinction: “by Allah” makes it an oath (with kaffara if broken); without that wording, it is a promise (no expiation due).

Does Breaking a Promise to Allah Most High to Not Sin Necessitate an Expiation (Kaffara)? — A promise without an oath carries no kaffara; one seeks Allah’s forgiveness and renews one’s resolve.

Which Types of Oaths Require Expiation (Kaffara) if Broken? — Clarifies which oaths actually entail an expiation and which do not.

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.