How is an oath interpreted when intention is absent, and the context (Sabab) of the oath is considered?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Expiations
Primary text
If intention is absent, the context or reason that prompted the oath is examined as an indicator of intent. For an oath not to reside with a wife in a specific house, if the reason was displeasure stemming from the house itself (a harm or favor related to it), the oath is specific to that house. If the reason was displeasure with the wife prompting general harshness, the oath applies to not residing with her in any house. Similarly, if swearing not to wear a cloth woven by her was due to a favor she bestowed, breaking the oath involves any form of benefit from it or its price. If the reason was the poor quality of the weaving, the oath is confined only to wearing it.
Supporting text
When the wording is general but the cause is specific, such as swearing not to dine after being invited to lunch, the ruling depends on whether the swearer had a specific intention. If no intention exists, one narration from Ahmad suggests the oath must be upheld according to its general wording, as demonstrated when one swears not to enter a town due to witnessing injustice there; even if the injustice ceases, the vow concerning entry must be fulfilled. Another view, stated by Al-Qadi, suggests that the context transfers the ruling of the speech; for instance, if one swears his wife or slave cannot leave without permission, and they are freed/divorced, the oath is not broken because the authority that enabled the restriction is removed.