Hadiths from It is recommended for the one who swears an oath then sees that something else is better than it; To do that which is better and offer expiation for his oath by It is recommended for the one who swears an oath then sees that something else is better than it; To do that which is better and offer expiation for his oath

حَدَّثَنَا خَلَفُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَيَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبٍ الْحَارِثِيُّ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لِخَلَفٍ - قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ غَيْلاَنَ بْنِ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، الأَشْعَرِيِّ قَالَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي رَهْطٍ مِنَ الأَشْعَرِيِّينَ نَسْتَحْمِلُهُ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَحْمِلُكُمْ وَمَا عِنْدِي مَا أَحْمِلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَلَبِثْنَا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِإِبِلٍ فَأَمَرَ لَنَا بِثَلاَثِ ذَوْدٍ غُرِّ الذُّرَى فَلَمَّا انْطَلَقْنَا قُلْنَا - أَوْ قَالَ بَعْضُنَا لِبَعْضٍ - لاَ يُبَارِكُ اللَّهُ لَنَا أَتَيْنَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَسْتَحْمِلُهُ فَحَلَفَ أَنْ لاَ يَحْمِلَنَا ثُمَّ حَمَلَنَا ‏.‏ فَأَتَوْهُ فَأَخْبَرُوهُ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ مَا أَنَا حَمَلْتُكُمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَمَلَكُمْ وَإِنِّي وَاللَّهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لاَ أَحْلِفُ عَلَى يَمِينٍ ثُمَّ أَرَى خَيْرًا مِنْهَا إِلاَّ كَفَّرْتُ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَأَتَيْتُ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Translation

This hadith is narrated on the authority of Suhail with the same chain of transmitters (with these words)

" He should expiate for (breaking) the vow and do that which is better."

darussalam Sahih Muslim 1650d

in-book Book 27, Hadith 21

usc-msa Book 15, Hadith 4055

Notes

Comment

The Book of Oaths - Sahih Muslim 1650 d

"He should expiate for (breaking) the vow and do that which is better."

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith establishes two essential obligations upon one who breaks an oath: first, the performance of kaffarah (expiation) as prescribed by Islamic law, and second, the pursuit of that which is superior and more beneficial.

The expiation for breaking an oath is detailed in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:89): feeding ten needy persons, clothing them, or freeing a believing slave. For those unable to perform these, fasting three days is prescribed.

"Do that which is better" encompasses both spiritual and practical dimensions - it means not merely fulfilling the minimum requirement of expiation, but exceeding it in excellence. This includes sincere repentance, increasing in righteous deeds, and ensuring one's future oaths are made with greater caution and truthfulness.

Scholarly Insights

Imam An-Nawawi explains that "doing that which is better" refers to going beyond the obligatory expiation by performing additional voluntary acts of worship and maintaining taqwa (God-consciousness) in all matters.

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya emphasizes that this teaching demonstrates Islam's comprehensive approach to rectification - not merely removing the sin through expiation, but replacing it with superior righteousness that elevates the believer's spiritual state.

The wisdom behind this ruling ensures that breaking an oath becomes an opportunity for spiritual growth rather than merely a legal transaction, transforming a moment of failure into a means of drawing closer to Allah.