The Book of Oaths and Vows - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3793

"Whoever swears an oath and says: 'If Allah wills', then if he wishes he may go ahead, and if he wishes he may not, without having broken his oath."

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith establishes the permissibility of making one's oath conditional upon Allah's will through the phrase "In sha' Allah" (If Allah wills). This condition serves as a means of seeking divine assistance and acknowledging human limitation in fulfilling future commitments.

The wisdom behind this teaching is that it prevents the oath-taker from falling into the sin of breaking an oath when unforeseen circumstances prevent fulfillment. By invoking Allah's will, one recognizes that all matters ultimately depend upon divine decree.

Scholars explain that this conditional phrasing transforms the oath from an absolute commitment to one contingent upon what Allah enables and decrees. Thus, if circumstances change or one finds legitimate reason not to fulfill the oath, no expiation is required.

Legal Rulings Derived

The inclusion of "In sha' Allah" with an oath renders it non-binding if unfulfilled, requiring no kaffarah (expiation).

This applies to oaths concerning future actions, not those about past events where Allah's will is irrelevant to the truthfulness of the statement.

The condition must be sincerely intended, not merely uttered as a habitual phrase without conscious meaning.

Practical Application

When making serious commitments or promises, Muslims are encouraged to use this conditional phrasing to maintain flexibility within divine will.

This teaching demonstrates Islam's practical approach to human limitations while maintaining the sanctity of oaths.

The practice reflects proper tawakkul (reliance on Allah) by acknowledging that human intention alone cannot guarantee outcomes.