"The Prophet said to me: 'If you swear an oath, and you see something that is better, then do that which is better and offer expiation for your oath.'"
The Book of Oaths and Vows - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3789
"The Prophet said to me: 'If you swear an oath, and you see something that is better, then do that which is better and offer expiation for your oath.'"
Commentary on the Hadith
This noble hadith establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic jurisprudence regarding oaths. The Prophet (peace be upon him) teaches that when a Muslim swears to do something, but subsequently realizes there is a better alternative, they should not persist in their oath if it leads to harm or prevents a greater good.
The wisdom behind this teaching is that Islam prioritizes benefit and prevents harm. Stubborn adherence to an oath that results in detriment contradicts the spirit of Islamic law, which aims for ease and mercy.
The requirement for expiation (kaffārah) serves as both a spiritual purification and a reminder of the seriousness of oaths. The expiation for breaking an oath is feeding ten poor persons, clothing them, or freeing a slave. If unable, one must fast three days.
This ruling demonstrates the balance in Islamic law between honoring commitments and exercising practical wisdom, ensuring that religious obligations do not become burdens that prevent doing what is ultimately better and more beneficial.