What is the ruling on swearing by 'the Right of Allah' (wa haqqullahi)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Oaths
Primary text
Swearing by 'The Right of Allah' constitutes an oath that requires expiation (kaffarah). This view is held by Malik and Al-Shafi'i. The evidence for this position is that Allah possesses rights due to Himself, such as permanence (al-baqa'), grandeur (al-'azama), majesty (al-jalal), and might (al-'izza). The established custom of usage associates an oath with this phrase to the attributes of Allah, similar to saying 'By the Power of Allah.'
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa holds that there is no expiation for this oath because the Right of Allah is His obedience and obligatory duties, which are not attributes of Him in this context.