Fatwa ID: 05243

Answered by: Alimah Fatima Begum

1. Will an oath be valid if it is made in the heart without uttering it?

2. If someone says InshaAllah before doing something will it be considered an oath?

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

Answer

The answer to your question as to whether an oath has been formulated or not is similar to what constitutes recitation of the Holy Qur’an in salah. There are two opinions in the Hanafi Fiqh of what is considered the minimal recitation.

One opinion is that one must able to hear oneself when reading. (See Maraqi Falah p.93) and the second view is that one’s recitation will be deemed valid as long as one moves one’s tongue and lips even though no sound is being produced and one is not even able to hear it oneself. (Ashraful Idaah p.112)

Bearing this in mind, if one simply made an oath in his heart and did not utter it, nor move his tongue or lips, the oath will not be valid, thus if it is not fulfilled, no expiation is required.

Regarding the words, ‘inshaAllah’, if one was to say it before something, it is left to the will of Allah, hence it will not be classed as an oath.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Fatima Begum

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham