Fatwaa ID: 627

Question:
Assalāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh, if a person had made a promise to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala that they would pray tahajjud and recite a particular surah every single day, but missed a few days, will that person be sinful for breaking the promise? since they’ve already missed so many days, should they still make it an obligation upon themselves to continue doing those acts everyday? is there an expiation for this? JazākAllāhu Khairan

Clarification:
“Ya Allah I promise I will.. [name of action promising to carry out (tahajjud, reciting surah yaseen, etc)]”

Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

We take note of the details of your query.

1. Istighfaar should be made for not honoring the promise.
2. Unless one used words indicating perpetual, continual or permanent nature, it will not count as recurring. It will be once-off.
3. A promise is not the same as an oath. Acting contrary to the promise will not necessitate kaffaarah/expiation. Notwithstanding this, it will be advisable to follow it up with some good deed, such as sadaqah.

And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/

07/28/1444 AH – 02/19/2023 | AML3-3218

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

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