Bulugh al-Maram 1386

Abu Dawud’s version, from Ibn Abbas and attributed to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), says: ‘Whoever makes an unspecified vow, its expiation is the expiation for an oath. Whoever vows an act of disobedience, its expiation is the expiation for an oath. Whoever vows something he cannot bear, its expiation is the expiation for an oath.’ Its chain is sound, but hadith critics preferred it as Ibn Abbas’s own statement. The report is weak as a prophetic attribution. Abu Dawud transmitted it (3322) through Talhah ibn Yahya al-Ansari, from Abdullah ibn Sa‘id ibn Abi Hind, from Bukayr ibn Abdullah al-Ashajj, from Kurayb, from Ibn Abbas, attributing it to the Prophet. Talhah’s version adds: ‘Whoever vows something he can fulfill should fulfill it.’ Waki‘ disagreed and transmitted it as a statement of Ibn Abbas, as reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah (4/173). Waki‘’s version is undoubtedly correct, especially when comparing the two transmitters. Abu Dawud said: ‘Waki‘ and others transmitted this report from Abdullah ibn Sa‘id and stopped it at Ibn Abbas.’ Abu Zur‘ah and Abu Hatim likewise said, ‘The correct version is the one stopped at Ibn Abbas’ (1/441, no. 1326).