Mistakenly Taking An Oath

QUESTION:

If a person, completely by mistake, without even realizing that it is an oath, and without intending to take an oath, uses the word “Wallah” when speaking about doing something in the future, will it be regarded as an oath? If the action is done in the future, will Kaffaarah be necessary?

ANSWER: 

Fuqaha state that an oath will be enacted whether it was said intentionally, unintentionally, mistakenly, or by coercion. As such, in the queried scenario, it will be regarded as an oath and Kaffarah will be necessary if the action is carried out in the future.

وأما اليمين بالله فلا يتوقف عليها أى على النية فينعقد إذا حلف عامدا أو ساهيا أو مخطياً أو مكرها، وكذا إذا فعل المحلوف عليه كذلك الخ. (الأشباه والنظائر ص:٤٨)

والمعتبر في الأيمان الألفاظ دون الأغراض . (البحر الرائق ٥٠١/٤)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 24 Jumaadal-Aakhirah 1447 / 15 December 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb