The Book on Vows and Oaths - Jami' at-Tirmidhi

Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1538

Textual Analysis

The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly prohibits making vows with the emphatic command "Do not vow." This prohibition indicates the undesirability of voluntarily binding oneself through oaths for future actions.

The Arabic term "نذر" (vow) refers to a solemn pledge to perform a specific act of worship or charity if a particular condition is met, making what was not obligatory become self-imposed as mandatory.

Divine Decree and Human Action

"The vows does not prevent what is decreed at all" establishes that human vows cannot alter divine preordainment (Qadar). Whatever Allah has decreed will occur regardless of vows made by creation.

This teaching aligns with fundamental Islamic creed that all matters are ultimately in Allah's hands, and no human action can change divine destiny once decreed.

Psychological and Spiritual Dimensions

"It only causes the miser to spend" reveals the wisdom behind the prohibition. Vows often emerge from miserly hearts seeking to bargain with Allah rather than sincere devotion.

The miser here refers to one who withholds charity and good deeds until compelled by self-imposed vows, demonstrating defective faith and transactional relationship with the Creator.

Scholarly Interpretation

Imam al-Nawawi explains this hadith indicates the reprehensibility of vows, though they remain valid if made. The prohibition is of makruh (disliked) nature, not haram (forbidden).

Scholars differentiate between conditional vows (if X happens, I will do Y) and unconditional vows. Both are discouraged, but conditional vows particularly reflect the negative mentality addressed in this narration.

Practical Application

Muslims should perform good deeds voluntarily out of love for Allah, not as conditional responses to desired outcomes. Sincerity requires acting for Allah's pleasure alone.

If one mistakenly makes a vow, it becomes obligatory to fulfill it, as Allah says: "Then let them complete their vows" (Quran 22:29). However, the initial making of vows remains discouraged.