Can I Delay a Vow to Fast Consecutive Days?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalamalaikum. I have made a vow to fast 30 consecutive days consecutive. However at the time I did not realise that I will be travelling abroad for job interviews. I will be travelling a week before I am due to finish the vow. I am worried about energy levels and breath. Should I continue the vow till the end?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

If you uttered a vow to fast thirty consecutive days, then it will be binding upon you to do so; yet you do not need to fulfil the vow immediately.​ ​[`Ala’ al-Din `Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

This is because you made a general vow, without any additional conditions and the like, thus it is only binding in a general way– in that it must be fulfilled at some point.

Allah Most High says, “Fulfil any pledge you make in God’s name and do not break oaths after you have sworn them, for you have made God your surety: God knows everything you do.” [16.91]

However, ​as stated, ​this ruling only applies if you actually uttered the statement. If it was something you merely thought, without saying it, it is of no legal consideration.

Please also see: What is the Difference Between a Promise, an Oath, and a Vow?

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani