Vowing to carry out an act of obedience

A: There is no doubt that making vows to do something that involves obeying Allah is an act of `Ibadah (worship) and Allah (Exalted be He) has praised those who fulfill their vows. Allah (Exalted be He) says: They (are those who) fulfil (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil will be wide-spreading. It was authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: "Anyone who vows (to do an act) to obey Allah should obey Him (i.e. Fulfill their vow); and anyone who vows (to do an act) to disobey Allah should not disobey Him (i.e. Should not fulfill their vow)." A man vowed to slaughter camels in Buwana. When he came to the Prophet (peace be upon him), the latter asked, "Are there any idols of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance) (Part No. 23; Page No. 221) worshipped?" He was answered, "No." The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, "Is there any feast celebrated of the feasts of Jahiliyyah?" He was answered, "No." The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him (i.e. The man), "Fulfill your vow, as there is no fulfillment of a vow which involves disobedience to Allah, or with regard to a thing the son of Adam does not own." The questioner has already made a vow to observe Sawm for a year, an act that is included under observing Sawm continuously, which is Makruh (disliked). It was authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: "Anyone who observes Sawm perpetually neither fasts nor breaks their Sawm (i.e. They neither gain rewards nor commit sins)." Undoubtedly, it is forbidden to perform any reprehensible act of `Ibadah. Thus, this woman is not entitled to fulfill her vow. Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful to him) said, "If a person vows to perform a reprehensible act of `Ibadah, such as standing for optional Prayer the whole night and fasting the whole day, such vows should not be fulfilled." Accordingly, this woman has to offer Kaffarah (expiation), which involves feeding ten Miskins (needy persons) by giving each of them half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of dates or any staple food, or providing them with clothing, or emancipating a believing slave. If none is affordable, she must observe Sawm for three consecutive days. (Part No. 23; Page No. 222) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.