The Book of Oaths and Vows - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3785

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever swears an oath, then sees something better than it, let him do that which is better and offer expiation for his oath.'"

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic jurisprudence regarding oaths. The wisdom behind this teaching is that Allah desires ease for His servants and does not wish to impose hardship upon them.

When a Muslim takes an oath to do or refrain from something, but subsequently realizes that fulfilling this oath would lead to missing a greater good or committing a wrong, the Shari'ah provides this merciful alternative. The better option referred to in the hadith could be an act of greater piety, an opportunity for increased reward, or avoiding harm to oneself or others.

Conditions and Implementation

Scholars have stipulated that this ruling applies when breaking the oath leads to a clearly superior benefit in religious terms. The expiation (kaffarah) for breaking an oath is specified in the Quran (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:89) as feeding ten needy persons, clothing them, or freeing a slave. If one cannot do these, then fasting for three days is prescribed.

This teaching demonstrates the flexibility and practicality of Islamic law, balancing between keeping one's word and pursuing what is ultimately better for one's spiritual and worldly affairs. It prevents Muslims from being trapped by their oaths when circumstances reveal a more beneficial path.