What is the ruling on vowing to commit an act of disobedience?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Vows

Book 61 · Issue 3 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If one vows to disobey Allah, one must not carry out that vow. The prescribed expiation is the expiation of an oath (Kaffarat Yamin). This ruling is based on the hadith stating, "Whoever vows to disobey Allah, let him not disobey Him," and because disobeying Allah is impermissible under all circumstances.

Supporting text

Some narrations from Ahmad suggest there is no expiation required, citing hadith that explicitly denies a vow in disobedience or in matters one does not own, without mentioning an expiation for the vow itself.