The Book of Oaths and Vows - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3779

"There is nothing on Earth that I swear an oath upon, and I see that something else is better, but I do that which is better."

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrates the principle of choosing what is better and more beneficial, even when one has previously sworn an oath. The scholars explain that this establishes the permissibility of breaking an oath when a superior good becomes apparent.

Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) states in his commentary that this hadith indicates the virtue of choosing what is more righteous and beneficial. When a person swears to do something but then realizes that doing something else would be better for his religious or worldly affairs, he should opt for the better alternative and expiate his broken oath.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) elaborates that this teaching reflects the mercy and flexibility of Islamic law, which prioritizes achieving benefit and preventing harm over rigid adherence to oaths when circumstances change or better alternatives emerge.

Legal Rulings Derived

The majority of scholars hold that if one swears to do something but then finds a better alternative, one should break the oath and perform the better deed, then expiate the broken oath by feeding ten poor persons, clothing them, or freeing a slave.

This ruling applies when the alternative action is genuinely better from a religious perspective - such as being more beneficial to others, more pleasing to Allah, or containing greater goodness and righteousness.

The expiation for breaking such an oath is specified in the Quran (5:89) and involves feeding ten needy people, clothing them, freeing a slave, or if unable, fasting three days.