Abu Huraira and Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Do not make vows, for a vow has no effect against fate; it is only from the miserly that it is a means by which something is extracted.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Commentary on the Prohibition of Vows
This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) contains profound wisdom regarding the spiritual etiquette of dealing with Allah. The statement "Do not make vows" serves as a general prohibition against the frequent making of vows, which indicates dissatisfaction with Allah's decree and an attempt to manipulate divine will through conditional promises.
The Ineffectiveness Against Divine Decree
When the Prophet states "a vow has no effect against fate," he clarifies that no human action, including vows, can alter what Allah has preordained. This teaching reinforces the Islamic principle of tawakkul (reliance on Allah) and acceptance of qadr (divine decree). The believer should rather make sincere supplication without conditions.
The Psychological Dimension of Miserliness
The description of vows as "only from the miserly" reveals the inner state that often motivates such conditional promises. A miserly soul hesitates to spend in Allah's cause voluntarily, requiring the pressure of a vow to extract charity. The spiritually generous give freely without such conditions, trusting in Allah's boundless provision.
Practical Application in Daily Life
Scholars explain that while unnecessary vows are discouraged, if one makes a vow, it becomes obligatory to fulfill it. The wiser path is to engage in voluntary acts of worship and charity without making them conditional upon receiving specific blessings. This approach cultivates sincerity and purifies one's intention in worship.
This teaching from Mishkat al-Masabih 3426 reminds us that our relationship with Allah should be based on love and trust rather than transactional bargaining. The believer approaches Allah with hope and fear, not with attempts to manipulate divine grace through conditional promises.