Fatwa ID: 05487

Answered by: Alimah Nujba Saiyed

Question:

Is a vow (nadhr) obligatory to fulfil where the vow (nadhr) has been made without moving the lips? In this case, the tongue was moving.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

A vow is a verbal pledge to perform some act of devotion, such as praying, fasting, or giving charity etc. If such occurs, it is obligatory for him to fulfil the pledge by doing that act of devotion. (Mukhtasir Al-Quduri, Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab, Chapter Oaths and Vows)

However, if one has not declared it verbally then that vow would only count as a promise and fulfilling it will not be necessary, however, one should avoid making such vows/oaths with the intention of not fulfilling it. The only time a vow will come into effect is if the person has verbally declared it such as saying it aloud.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Nujba Saiyed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham