When is an oath considered broken (Hanith) if it concerns an unrestricted action?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Oaths

Book 59 · Issue 7 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If an oath is general (mutlaq) concerning an action, one is not considered to have broken the oath until the time for the action becomes impossible. As long as the time frame remains and the action is possible, there is hope that the person will perform it and thus not incur breaking the oath. This is demonstrated when Umar asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, if they would perform Tawaf of the House, and the Prophet responded that he had not told him he would do it that year, confirming the action was still pending.