Is one expiation due for repeating an oath or swearing by multiple different terms consecutively?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Oaths
Primary text
If a person swears concerning the same matter multiple times, such as saying, "By Allah, I will certainly raid the Quraysh," three times consecutively, and then breaks the oath, only one expiation is due. This view is reported from Ibn Umar and is held by Al-Hasan, 'Urwah, and Ishaq, as well as 'Ata, 'Ikrimah, Al-Nakha'i, Hammad, and Al-Awza'i. The reasoning is that a single instance of breaking the oath resulted in a single category of expiation, and therefore only one expiation is due, just as if the repetition was intended only for emphasis and clarification. If the intention was emphasis, it is established that only one expiation is required.
Supporting text
Abu Ubayd mandates three expiations for someone who says, "I bind myself by the covenant of Allah, His promise, and His guarantee," if they subsequently break all three. The people of *Ra'y* (Hanafi school) mandate an expiation for every oath unless the intent was clarification and emphasis. A similar view is reported from Al-Thawri and Abu Thawr. Al-Shafi'i holds two opinions reflecting both positions. 'Amr ibn Dinar stated that if the oaths occurred in one sitting, the ruling is one expiation, but if they occurred in separate sittings, then an expiation is due for each.