Is the statement 'By the trust (Amanah)' a binding oath if the speaker intends it as such?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Oaths

Book 59 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a person states, 'By the trust (Al-Amanah),' and intends by it an oath sworn by the trust of Allah, this constitutes a binding oath (yamin) requiring expiation (kaffarah). This ruling is based on established reasoning regarding oaths.

Supporting text

If the speaker makes the statement without specific intent (if he leaves it unrestricted), there are two narrations regarding its validity. One narration holds that it functions as an oath due to the aforementioned reasoning. The second narration holds that it does not constitute an oath because it was not explicitly attributed to Allah, the Exalted, leaving room for other interpretations.