Sunan Ibn Majah: The Chapters on Expiation

1

Chapter: The swearing of the Messenger of Allah (saws) by which he would take an oath

It was narrated that Rifa'ah Al - Juhani said:
"When the Prophet (ﷺ) took an oath he would say: 'By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad."'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2090
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 1
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2090
It was narrated that Rifa'ah bin 'Arabah A-Juhani said:
"The swearing of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when he took an oath and I bear witness before Allah was: 'By the One in Whose Hand is my soul."'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2091
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 2
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2091
It was narrated from Salim that his father said:
"The swearing most frequently sworn by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was: 'No, by the Controller of the hearts."'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2092
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 3
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2092
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:
"The swearing of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was: 'No, and I ask Allah for forgiveness."'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2093
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 4
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2093
2

Chapter: Prohibition of making an oath by other than Allah

It was narrated from Salim bin 'Abdullah bin 'Umar, from his father, from 'Umar, that :
the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard him swearing by his father. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Allah forbids you from making oaths by your forefathers." 'Umar said: I never took an oath by them (i.e., my forefathers) myself nor narrating such words from anyone else.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2094
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 5
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2094
It was narrated from 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah that :
the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Do not take oaths by idols nor by your forefathers. "
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2095
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 6
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2095
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that :
the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever takes an oath, and swears, saying: 'By Al-Lat and Al-Uzza,' let him say:'La ilaha illallah.' "
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2096
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 7
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2096
It was narrated that Sa'd said:
"I took an oath by Lat and 'Uzza. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said : 'Say: "La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu" (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, with no partner or associate)," then spit toward your left three times, and seek refuge with Allah, and do not do that again."'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2097
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 8
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2097
3

Chapter: One who takes an oath to follow a religion other than Islam

It was narrated that Thabit bin Ad-Dahhak said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever takes an oath to follow a religion other than Islam, telling a deliberate lie, he will be as he said.'"
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2098
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 9
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2098
It was narrated from Anas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a man say:
"If that happens, I will be a Jew." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'That is guaranteed."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2099
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 10
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2099
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Buraidah that his father told that :
the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever says: 'I have nothing to do with Islam,' if he is lying then he is as he said, and if he is telling the truth, his Islam will not be sound."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2100
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 11
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2100
4

Chapter: The person for whom an oath is sworn by Allah should accept what is said

It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar said:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a man taking an oath by his father and said: 'Do not make oaths by your forefathers. Whoever makes an oath by Allah, let him fulfill his oath, and if an oath is sworn for a person by Allah, let him accept it. Whoever is not content with Allah has nothing to do with Allah.'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2101
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 12
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2101
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Eisa bin Maryam saw a man stealing and said: 'Did you steal?' He said: 'No, by the One besides Whom there is no other God.' 'Eisa said: 'I believe in Allah, and I do not believe what my eyes see.'"
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2102
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 13
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2102
5

Chapter: Swearing is (i.e., leads to) sin or regret

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that :
the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "An oath (leads to) either sin or regret. "
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2103
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 14
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2103
6

Chapter: Uttering the exception when swearing

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
'Whoever swears an oath and says In sha' Allah, he will have made an exception."(2)
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2104
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 15
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2104
It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever swears an oath and says In sha' Allah, if he wishes he may go ahead and if he wishes he may not, without having broken his oath."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2105
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 16
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2105
It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar:
"Whoever swears an oath and says In sha' Allah, will never break his oath."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2106
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 17
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2106
7

Chapter: One who swears an oath and then sees that something else is better

It was narrated from Abu Burdah that his father Abu Musa said:
"I came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with a group of Asharites and asked him to give us animals to ride. He said: 'By Allah, I cannot give you anything to ride, and I have nothing to give you to ride.' We stayed as long as Allah willed, then some camels were brought to him. He ordered that we be given three she-camels with fine humps. When we left, we said to one another: 'We came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to ask him for animals to ride, and he swore by Allah that he would not give us anything to ride, then he gave us something. Let us go back.' So we went to him and we said: 'O Messenger of Allah! We came to you seeking mounts, and you took an oath that you would not give us mounts, then you gave us some mounts.' He said: 'By Allah, I did not give you animals to ride, rather Allah gave you them to ride. I, by Allah, if Allah wills, do not swear and then see something better than it, but I offer expiation for what I swore about, and do that which is better.' Or he said: 'I do that which is better and offer expiation for what I swore about.'"
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2107
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 18
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2107
It was narrated from 'Adi bin Hatim that :
the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said: "Whoever swears an oath then sees that something else is better than it, let him do that which is better and offer expiation for what he swore about. "
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2108
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 19
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2108
It was narrated from Abul-Ahwas 'Awf bin Malik Al- Jushami that his father said:
"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, my cousin comes to me and I swear that I will not give him anything or uphold the ties of kinship with him.' He said: 'Offer expiation for what you swore about.'"
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2109
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 20
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2109
8

Chapter: Those who say that the expiation is to not fulfill it

It was narrated from 'Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever takes an oath to cut off the ties of kinship, or to do something that is not right, the fulfillment of his vow is not to do that."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2110
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 21
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2110
It was narrated from 'Amr bin Shu'aib, from his father, that his grandfather said that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever swears an oath then sees that something else is better than it, let him not do it, and his leaving it is the expiation for it. "
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2111
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 22
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2111
9

Chapter: How much food should be given when atoning for what one swore about?

It was narrated that Ibn Abbas said:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered expiation of a Sa' of dates, and he enjoined the people to do likewise. Whoever does not have that (must give) half a Sa' of wheat."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2112
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 23
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2112
10

Chapter: (Expiation should be) with (the average) food that you feed your families

It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said:
"A man would give his family food that was abundant and another would give his family food that was barely sufficient, then the following was revealed: 'With the Awsat of that with which you feed your families...’”(2)
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2113
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 24
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2113
11

Chapter: Prohibition of a man insisting on what he swore about, and not offering expiation

It was narrated that Hammam heard Abu Hurairah saying that 'Abul-Qasim (ﷺ) said:
"If anyone of you insists on fulfilling what he swore to (after learning that it is wrong) then it is more sinful before Allah than (breaking the oath for which) the expiation that has been enjoined upon him."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2114
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 25
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2114
12

Chapter: Helping others fulfill their oaths

It was narrated that Bara' bin 'Azib said:
'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded us to help fulfill the oath."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2115
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 26
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2115
It was narrated from Mujahid, that 'Abdur-Rahman bin Safwan, or Safwan bin 'Abdur- Rahman Al-Qurashi said:
"On the Day of the conquest of Makkah, he came with his father and he said: 'O Messenger of Allah, give my father a share of Hijrah.' He said: 'There is no Hijrah.' Then he went away and entered upon 'Abbas and said: 'Do you know who I am?' He said: 'Yes.' Then 'Abbas went out, wearing a shirt and no upper wrap, and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you know so-and-so with whom we have friendly ties? He brought his father to swear an oath of allegiance (i.e., promise) to emigrate.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'There is no Hijrah.'" 'Abbas said: 'I adjure you to do it.' The Prophet (ﷺ) stretched forth his hand and touched his hand, and said: 'I have fulfilled the oath of my uncle, but there is no Hijrah."' (Da'if)Another chain with similar wording. Yazid bin Abu Ziyad said: "Meaning: There is no Hijrah from a land whose people have accepted Islam."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2116
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 27
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2116
13

Chapter: Prohibition on saying: “What Allah wills and you will”

It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
'When anyone of you swears an oath, let him not say: 'What Allah wills and what you will.' Rather let him say: 'What Allah wills and then what you will.'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2117
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 28
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2117
It was narrated from Hudhaifah bin Yaman that :
a Muslim man saw in a dream that he met a man from among the People of the Book, who said: "What good people you would be if only you were not committing Shirk. For you say: 'What Allah wills and Muhammad wills."' He mentioned that to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said: "By Allah, I am aware of that. Say: 'What Allah wills then what Muhammad wills."'Another chain from Tufail bin Sakhbarah, the brother of 'Aishah by her mother, from the Prophet (ﷺ), with similar wording.
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2118
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 29
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2118
14

Chapter: One who uses ambiguous words in his oath

It was narrated that Suwaid bin Hanzalah said:
"We went out looking for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and Wa'il bin Hujr was with us. An enemy of his seized him and the people were reluctant to swear an oath but I swore that he was my brother, so they set him free. We came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and I told him that the people had been reluctant to swear an oath, but I had sworn that he was my brother. He said: 'You told the truth. The Muslim is the brother of his fellow Muslim.' "
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2119
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 30
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2119
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"The oath is only according to the intention of the one who requests the oath to be taken."'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2120
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 31
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2120
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Your oath is as your companion understands it to be."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2121
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 32
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2121
15

Chapter: The prohibition of vows

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade vows and said: 'They are just a means of taking wealth from the miserly."'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2122
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 33
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2122
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Vows do not bring the son of Adam anything unless it has been decreed for him. But he is dominated by Divine preordainment, and will get what is decreed for him. And (vows) are a means of making the miser give something, so what he desires becomes obtainable for him, which was not obtainable before his vow. And Allah says: 'Spend, I will spend on you.'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2123
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 34
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2123
16

Chapter: Vows for disobedience

It was narrated from 'Imran bin Husain that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"[There is no vow to commit disobedience and] no vow concerning that which the son of Adam does not possess."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2124
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 35
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2124
It was narrated from 'Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"There is no vow to commit disobedience, and the expiation (for such a vow) is the expiation for breaking an oath."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2125
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 36
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2125
It was narrated from 'Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey Him, and whoever vows to disobey Allah, let him not disobey Him. "
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2126
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 37
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2126
17

Chapter: One who makes a vow but does not state it specifically

It was narrated from 'Uqbah bin 'Amit Al-Juhani that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever makes a vow and does not state it specifically, the expiation (for such a vow) is the expiation for breaking an oath. "
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2127
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 38
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2127
lt was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever makes a vow and does not state it specifically, the expiation (for such a vow) is the expiation for breaking an oath. Whoever makes a vow and is not able to fulfill it, the expiation for that is the expiation for breaking an oath. Whoever makes a vow and is able to fulfill it, let him do so."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2128
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 39
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2128
18

Chapter: Fulfilling vows

It was narrated that 'Umar bin Khattab said:
"I made a vow during the Ignorance period and I asked the Prophet (ﷺ) (about it) after I became Muslim. He told me to fulfill my vow."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2129
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 40
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2129
It was narrated from Ibn Abbas that a man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said:
"O Messenger of Allah, I vowed to offer a sacrifice at Buwanah." He said: "Do you intend any action of Ignorance period?" He said: "No." He said: "Then fulfill your vow."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2130
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 41
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2130
It was narrated from Maimunah bint Kardam Al-Yasariyyah that :
her father met the Prophet (ﷺ) when she was riding behind him. He said: "I vowed to offer a sacrifice at Buwanah." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Is there any idol there?" He said: "No." He said: " Fulfill your vow." (Hasan)Another chain with similar wording.
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2131
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 42
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2131
19

Chapter: One who dies with a vow left to fulfill

It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas' that :
Sa'd bin 'Ubadah asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about a vow which his mother had made, but she had died without fulfilling it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Fulfill it on her behalf ."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2132
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 43
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2132
It was narrated from Jabir bin 'Abdullsh that :
a woman came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: "My mother has died, and she had made a vow to fast, but she died before she could fulfill it. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Let her guardian fast on her behalf ."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2133
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 44
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2133
20

Chapter: One who vows to go for Hajj walking

It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed Ar-Ru'aini that 'Abdullah bin Malik told him, that :
'Uqbah bin 'Amir told him, that his sister vowed to walk, barefoot and bareheaded, and he mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) He said: "Order her to ride and to cover her head, and to fast for three days."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2134
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 45
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2134
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:
"The Prophet (ﷺ) saw an old man walking between his two sons, and he said: What is the matter with him?' His sons said: 'A vow, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Let this old man ride, for Allah has no need of you or your vow."'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2135
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 46
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2135
21

Chapter: One who mixes obedience and sin in his vow

It was narrated from Ibn Abbas that the :
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed by a man in Makkah who was standing in the sun. He said: "What is this?" They said: "He vowed to fast and not to seek shade until night comes, and not to speak, and to remain standing." He said: "Let him speak and seek shade and let him sit down, but let him complete his fast."Another chain from Ibn 'Abbas, from the Prophet (ﷺ), with similar wording. expiation for breaking an oath."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2136
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 47
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 11, Hadith 2136