Fatwa #2535116 May 2013India
What is the Kaffārah for lying and making a promise to Allāh?
Question
I've committed many sins in the past and by ALLAH's grace i've repented sincerely. My question is regarding one of the terrible thing i did in the past.
I committed a sin and somehow it reached my mother's ears.I was afraid to accept my mistake and told her that it was just a rumour. But she asked me to keep hands on Qur'an (make Qasam) and speak truth. I kept my hand on Qur'an and lied. I feel very terrible for having done so.What should i do to make this right?
I promised ALLAH that i would offer one "fasting" if i missed my fajr salah once. I have to offer 7 "fastings" as I missed 7 fajr Salahs since then. And also i have to make Qaza of the missed Ramzan fastings too.
My questions are:
1.If I have to offer fasting as Kaffaara(for making false promise on Qur'an),how many days should i fast?
2.Which fasting should i offer first? Qaza or kaffara?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
A Muslim’s behavior must always portray the noblest of characters. He must be a living example for others to emulate. Qualities such as lying and deceit are totally against Islāmic teachings.
You have stated that you lied to your mother by placing your hand on the Qurān regarding a sin that you committed in the past. Lying is a major sin. The severity of the sin was increased by lying to one’s own mother in front of the Holy Qurān.
Sincerely repent to Allāh Ta’ālā for all sins that have been committed in the past. Stipulate a time daily wherein you will be able to ponder over your sins and pour out your heart before Almighty Allāh. Make a firm amendment that you will never resort to sin and lies in the future. Thereafter, have firm conviction in the forgiveness of Allāh Ta’ālā. Keep in mind that Almighty Allāh loves those who repent. Allāh Ta’ālā states in the Qurān:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ (سورة البقرة، رقم الآية 222)
Surely Allāh loves those who seek forgiveness. (Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 222)
There are three issues referred to in your query:
- Kaffārah for the lie spoken to your mother
- Promise made to Allāh that you would fast for missing Fajr Salah
- Qadhā Fasting for missed fasts in Ramadhān
There is no Kaffārah for the lie spoken to your mother. This is so because the lie was in relation to an event that took place in the past. Such a lie does not necessitate a Kaffārah. Sincere repentance is required.[1]
You promised Allāh Ta’ālā that you will fast 1 day upon missing Fajr Salāh. It is necessary to fulfill a promise.[2] Hence, you must keep the necessary fasts in accordance with the promise you made.
It is necessary to make Qadhā (make-up) for any fasts missed in the month of Ramadhān. You should make an effort to make up for all such fasts without delay.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] (فاليمين الغموس) وتسمى الفاجرة (هي الحلف على أمر ماض يتعمد الكذب فيه) مثل أن يحلف على شيء قد فعله ما فعله أو بالعكس، مع علمه بذلك، وقد يقع على الحال، مثل أن يحلف ما لهذا على دين، وهو كاذب، فالتقييد بالماضي اتفاقي أو أكثري (فهذه اليمين يأثم بها صاحبها) لقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم (من حلف كاذباً أدخله الله النار) (ولا كفارة فيها إلا الاستغفار) مع التوبة، لأنها ليست يميناً حقيقية، لأن اليمين عقد مشروع، وهذه كبيرة، فلا تكون مشروعة، وتسميتها يميناً مجاز، لوجود صورة اليمين، كما نهى صلى الله عليه وسلم عن بيع الحر، سماه بيعاً مجازاً كما في الاختيار وغيره، وفي المحيط: الغموس يأثم صاحبها به، ولا يرفعه إلا التوبة النصوح والاستغفار؛ لأنه أعظم من أن ترفعه الكفارة، اه (اللباب فى شرح الكتاب، ج 5، ص 6-7، دار البشائر الإسلامية)
[2] قَوْلُهُ : الْخُلْفُ فِي الْوَعْدِ حَرَامٌ .
قَالَ السُّبْكِيُّ : ظَاهِرُ الْآيَاتِ وَالسُّنَّةِ تَقْتَضِي وُجُوبَ الْوَفَاءِ ، وَقَالَ صَاحِبُ الْعِقْدِ الْفَرِيدِ فِي التَّقْلِيدِ : إنَّمَا يُوصَفُ بِمَا ذَكَرَ أَيْ بِأَنَّ خُلْفَ الْوَعْدِ نِفَاقٌ إذَا قَارَنَ الْوَعْدُ الْعَزْمَ عَلَى الْخُلْفِ كَمَا فِي قَوْلِ الْمَذْكُورِينَ فِي آيَةِ { لَئِنْ أُخْرِجْتُمْ لَنَخْرُجَنَّ مَعَكُمْ } فَوُصِفُوا بِالنِّفَاقِ لِإِبْطَانِهِمْ خِلَافَ مَا أَظْهَرُوا وَأَمَّا مَنْ عَزَمَ عَلَى الْوَفَاءِ ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ فَلَمْ يَفِ بِهَذَا لَمْ يُوجَدْ مِنْهُ صُورَةُ نِفَاقٍ كَمَا فِي الْإِحْيَاءِ مِنْ حَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ عِنْدَ أَبِي دَاوُد وَالتِّرْمِذِيِّ مُخْتَصَرًا بِلَفْظِ { إذَا وَعَدَ الرَّجُلُ أَخَاهُ ، وَمِنْ نِيَّتِهِ أَنْ يَفِيَ فَلَمْ يَفِ فَلَا إثْمَ عَلَيْهِ } ( انْتَهَى ) .
وَقِيلَ : عَلَيْهِ فِيهِ بَحْثٌ فَإِنْ أَمْرَ { أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ } مُطْلَقٌ فَيُحْمَلُ عَدَمُ الْإِثْمِ فِي الْحَدِيثِ عَلَى مَا إذَا مَنَعَ مَانِعٌ مِنْ الْوَفَاءِ . (شرح الحموى على الأشباه، ج 2، ص 464)