5 Categories & Rulings

Vows are divided into **five types** based on their rulings: --- **1. Unnamed Absolute Vow:** Saying: "For Allah upon me is a vow" without naming what. **Ruling:** Oath expiation is required - whether absolute or conditional. **Evidence:** The Prophet ﷺ said: "Expiation for a vow, when unnamed, is the expiation of an oath" [Tirmidhi - hasan ṣaḥīḥ]. --- **2. Vow of Stubbornness/Anger (Lajāj):** Tying the vow to a condition intended to prevent or compel an action, or to confirm/deny something. Examples: "If I speak to you..." or "If I don't inform on you..." or "If this news is true..." - then upon me is Hajj or freeing a slave, etc. This vow is made like an oath - to encourage or deter, not as a true vow of devotion. **Ruling:** The person has a **choice**: fulfill what he vowed OR expiate as for an oath. **Evidence:** The Prophet ﷺ said: "Expiation for a vow is expiation for an oath" [Muslim]. --- **3. Permissible (Mubāḥ) Vow:** Vowing to do something permissible. Example: Vowing to wear a garment or ride an animal. **Ruling:** According to Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, nothing is required. **Evidence:** Ibn Abbas narrated: While the Prophet ﷺ was giving a sermon, he saw a man standing. He asked about him and was told: "Abu Israel vowed to stand in the sun, not seek shade, not speak, and to fast." The Prophet ﷺ said: "**Command him to speak, seek shade, sit down, and complete his fast**" [Bukhari]. --- **4. Vow of Disobedience:** Vowing to do something sinful - like drinking alcohol, vowing to graves, fasting on days of menstruation or Eid al-Adha. **Ruling:** This vow **does not bind** and **must not be fulfilled**. **Evidence:** The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever vows to disobey Allah, let him not disobey Him" - because disobeying Allah is never permitted, and no expiation is due either. --- **5. Vow of Righteousness (Birr):** Vowing to do an act of obedience - like vowing prayer, fasting, Hajj - whether absolute or conditional. **Ruling:** **Must be fulfilled** (if absolute), or **when the condition is met** (if conditional). **Evidence:** The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey Him" [Bukhari].