Sunday, 19 April 2026 (2 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH)
Question: A man swore by a vow (nadhr) of such-and-such that he would not do a certain act, then he did it. Then he repeated the vow and then broke it; and he swore by Allah and broke it; then he swore by leaving the religion, and by cursing himself, and all of that was repeated by him many times. He has now repented and feels the utmost remorse, and he now wants to be freed from the consequences. What is required of him? Inform us of how he can find a way out. Then, is it valid for him to lead the people in prayer as an imam, given that the people insist strongly on him doing so? Inform us, and peace.
Answer – and Allah is the One who grants success: This man is required to offer an expiation for an oath (kaffārat yamīn) for every vow and for every oath by Allah. Nothing of the expiations is required of him for swearing by leaving the religion or by cursing himself; however, repentance from that is required of him, and it is: remorse, and resolve not to return to it.
Thus, “the one who repents from sin is like one who has no sin,” and “repentance wipes out what came before it.” On this basis, it is valid for him to lead the people in prayer, and he is not harmed by what has passed of sins from which he has repented, regretted doing, and resolved not to return to. But it is proper for him to repeat repentance and seeking forgiveness in the future and not be heedless of that.
Yes, he is required to pay the expiations when he is able. If he is wealthy, he should hasten to pay them; and if he is poor, then when it becomes possible for him to pay them. “Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.” [Al-Baqarah:286] and “except what He has given it.” [At-Ṭalāq:7]
Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.2