Oath-Taking
31 sayings
If one takes a vow to refrain from a beneficial act he must perform it (and disregard the vow). There is no kaffarah for breaking such a vow. It is only a satanic instigation.
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 62; Al Kafi link
Have you not heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) say that whenever you find that you have vowed against doing something that is better to be done, you must ignore your vow?
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 62; Al-Kafi link
In the book Al Kafi there is a tradition, which says that a wife of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) had some connection with the tribe of Bani Hanifa. A Shia of Imam (a.s.) informed him that this wife of his bore enmity to Amirul Momineen (a.s.). After investigating the matter Imam (a.s.) divorced her. She had already received the Meher amount (Dower), but she filed a claim for it against Imam (a.s.) in the court of the ruler of Madinah. She demanded four hundred Dirhams as Meher from him. The ruler of Madinah told Imam Sajjad (a.s.), "Either you swear that you have already paid her or you pay the amount of Meher (now)." Hazrat Syed-e-Sajjad (a.s.) did not swear, but ordered his son Hazrat Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) to pay four hundred Dirhams to the woman. Hazrat Baqir (a.s.) said, "May I be sacrificed for you! Are you not on the right?"
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 55; Al Kafi link
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) speaks after taking the oath:
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 55; Masaalik link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
By Allah! If people knew what I know then very few would have laughed and many more would have wept.
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 55; Masaalik link
A person wrote a letter to Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and asked about something which was being wrongly attributed to him (Imam a.s).
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 55; Mustadrakul Wasael link
Do not swear by the name of Allah, whether you are speaking the truth or lying.
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 56; Furu Al Kafi link
One who swears falsely by Allah for a lie has disbelieved, and one who swear by Allah for truth has sinned, because Allah says: "Do not use Allah for (taking of) your oaths.
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 56; Furu Al Kafi link
The book Furu Al Kafi also contains the following report from Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.):
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 57; Furu Al Kafi link
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) heard a person taking such an oath. He (s.a.w.s.) said, "Woe be unto you, if you leave the religion of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) then which religion would you follow?"
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 58; Al Kafi link
O Yunus! Do not speak about dissociating from us in an oath. One who takes oath from it, whether for a true thing or a falsehood, he really becomes dissociated from us
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 58; Al Kafi link
The same decree is proved from a letter of Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.), which is quoted in the book Masaalik.
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 58 link
Allah does not call you to account for what is vain in your oaths, but he calls you to account for the making of deliberate oaths; so its expiation is feeding of ten poor men out of the middling (food) you feed your families with, or their clothing, or the freeing of a neck; but whosoever cannot find (means) then fasting for three days; this is the expiation of your oaths when you swear; and guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His communications, that you may be grateful (Surah Maidah 5:89)
Greater Sins Vol 2, The Eighteenth Greater Sin ,page 61 link
"False oaths bring along poverty and hunger with them."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 287 link
"The punishment of taking false oath is given to the person within forty days in this world itself."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 287 link
"False oaths are the reason behind 'transfer of mercy'." Upon being asked the meaning, Imam (a.s.) replied, "Transfer of mercy means spread of diseases." Muhammad bin Yahya has narrated it as being heavy instead of being transferred."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 287 link
"One who takes Allah's oath knowing that he is lying, it is as if he has waged a war against Allah
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 286 link
"Surely taking false oaths in times of helplessness causes entire cities to become vacant of its residents."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 286.. link
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) narrates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, "Keep away from taking false oaths because it causes the cities to become vacant of its residents."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 287 link
Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) narrates from his ancestors that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,"Taking false oaths in case of helplessness causes entire cities to become vacant of its residents."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 287 link
"Taking false oaths and breaking relations are the causes of emptying cities of their residents and transfer of mercy. Transfer of mercy causes the cutting off of the progeny."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 287 link
"If a man swears falsely due to which there is a loss of wealth or right of a Muslim, he has made Hell obligatory on himself."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 287 link
"The Almighty Allah has created a giant white cock whose head is near the Divine throne and legs extending to the depth of seven layers of earth. One of its wings covers the entire east and another, the entire west, when open. No cock crows unless this cock does. When this cock wants to crow, it moves its wings and murmurs: Sub-h'aanallaahi Sub-h'aanallahil A'z'eemilladhee laisa kamithlihi shai. The Almighty Allah replies: A person who swears falsely by Me has no faith on Me in accordance with your saying."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 287/288 link
Salman was passing by a graveyard. He said, "O believers and Muslims residing inside the graves, my salutations be upon you. O those who are lying here! Do you know that today is Friday?" He returned home and slept. He saw a man in his dream who said, "O servant of Allah! Salutations be upon you too. We heard whatever you said. You saluted us and we are giving you the reply. You had asked us whether we knew that today is Friday. We even know what birds say on Friday." Salman asked, "What do birds say on Friday?" The man replied, "They say: Pure is our Glorious Allah Who is Great and there is none like Him. A person who swears falsely for the Lord is not aware of His greatness."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 288 link
"One who swears by Allah, should prove his words true. One who cannot prove it, there is no value for him in Allah's view. Hence one who swears by Allah, should please Allah. If he is not able to please Allah, there will be no value for him in Allah's view."
Iqbal al-A`amal, page 288 link
Lying under oath subsequently brings about poverty
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 104, p. 209, no. 19; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 639 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
Commit a tyrant to oath whenever you want his oath in a way that it is devoid of [the mention of] the power and strength of Allah, for verily if he falsely takes oath by it, his chastisement will be hastened, and if he takes oath by Allah whom there is no god but He, it will not be hastened because he has professed the unity of Allah, the all-High.
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 253; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 639 link
Do not take oath by Allah whether you are truthful or lying, for verily He says "Do not make Allah an obstacle, through your oaths."[
al-Kafi, v. 7, p. 434, no. 1; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 639 link
It is narrated in Thawab al-A`amal that Allah says, 'I do not allow one who takes false oaths to obtain My mercy.
Sawab al-A`amal, p. 261, no. 2; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 639 link
Beware of taking immoral oaths for verily they leave the houses empty of their tenants
Sawab al-A`amal, p. 270, no. 3; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 639 link
Whoever takes an oath knowing that he is lying, has surely waged war with Allah.
Sawab al-A`amal, p. 269, no. 1; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 639 link
Shown with the book and page each saying is taken from. The collection carries no grading, and the English is the compiler’s. All subjects