Vowing to give money in charity if her son is cured and forgetting the amount

Q 3: A woman vowed to pay a certain sum of money if Allah (Exalted be He) cured her son from a specific disease. (Part No. 23; Page No. 267) However, when Allah (Glorified be He) cured her son, she could not recall how much was the sum that she vowed. Thus, she became confused. Please tell us how much she has to pay for this vow. Is it permissible that she gives whatever she likes?

A: If the reality is as mentioned, the woman has to do her best and pay the value that she thinks she most probably vowed. If she later remembers the exact sum and she discovers that it is more than the value she paid, she will have to complete the whole payment to fulfill her vow but if she discovers that what she paid is more than the value of the vow; the extra money she paid will be regarded as Sadaqah (voluntary charity). Q 4: A woman vowed to slaughter a sheep if her brother returned from abroad. Nevertheless, when I asked her whether she vowed for the sake of Allah or for other than Him - as this is the prevalent practice in our country - she said, "I do not know whether my vow was for Allah or for other than Him." What does she have to do now bearing in mind that the place she specified for slaughtering the sheep is normally used for slaughtering for other than Allah (Exalted be He)? Is it permissible for her to slaughter in the same place? A: This is a vow to disobey Allah (Exalted be He) and the woman does not have to fulfill this vow. Rather, she has to make Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) and Tawbah (repentance to Allah) for it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who vows to (do an act to) obey Allah should remain obedient to Him; and anyone who vows to (do an act to) disobey Allah should not disobey Him." She also has to offer Kaffarah (expiation) for an oath. (Part No. 23; Page No. 268) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.