Forbidden Vows

Vows that **must not be fulfilled** are vows of disobedience: --- **1. Vowing disobedience:** Like vowing to drink alcohol or fast on menstrual days. **Evidence:** The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever vows to disobey Allah, let him not disobey Him." --- **2. Vowing to the dead:** Saying: "O master so-and-so, if my absent one returns, or my sick one is healed, or my need is fulfilled, for you is such-and-such of money, food, candles, or oil..." **Ruling:** This is **null and void**, and is **major shirk** (polytheism) - may Allah protect us - because it is a vow to a created being, which is not permissible since vows are worship, and worship is only for Allah. --- **3. Vowing to light graves or trees:** **Ruling:** Not permissible to fulfill. The value should be redirected to beneficial causes, because it is disobedience. **Principle:** There is no vow in disobedience. **Evidence:** The hadith mentioned above.