What is a vow (Nadhr) in Islam?

A vow (An-Nadhr) in Islam is when a sane, adult Muslim makes it obligatory upon themselves to perform a good act for the sake of Allah, which was not originally obligatory. This act must be a form of worship or obedience, and once vowed, its fulfillment becomes a required duty.

Is it permissible or discouraged to make vows in Islam?

Making a vow is permissible but generally discouraged (makruh) in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught that vows do not change what is destined but are a means by which something is extracted from a miserly person. However, if a vow of obedience to Allah is made, it becomes obligatory to fulfill it.

What happens if you break a vow in Islam?

If a person makes a vow of obedience and is unable to fulfill it, or breaks a permissible vow, they must offer an expiation (kaffarah). The expiation is the same as that for a broken oath: feeding ten poor people, clothing them, or fasting for three days if unable to do the former.

Vow (An-Nadhr) in Islam: Fulfilling Promises to Allah

Vow

النذر

Explore Verses Related to Vow

🕌Al-Baqarah2:270 🕋Maryam19:26 🕌Al-Hajj22:29 🕌Al-Insan76:7

At a Glance

According to classical Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), a vow (An-Nadhr) is the act of a sane, adult Muslim making a non-obligatory act of worship binding upon themselves for the sake of Allah. The Quran praises those who fulfill their vows, counting it as a defining characteristic of the righteous (Abrar) who fear the Day of Judgment, as mentioned in Surah Al-Insan (76:7). The synthesis of verses 2:270, 22:29, and 76:7, as interpreted by scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, establishes that while initiating a vow is discouraged in the Sunnah, its fulfillment becomes a sacred, obligatory trust once made. The linguistic root (ن-ذ-ر) implies both commitment and warning, highlighting the seriousness of the pledge. This framework distinguishes a vow—an act of worship made obligatory on oneself—from a simple promise or an oath (Qasam), and establishes clear rules for its validity and, if broken, its expiation.

📖 Quranic Context

Vows are presented as a serious act of worship and commitment to Allah, the fulfillment of which is a sign of piety and fear of God.

A vow is a direct, binding promise made to Allah, making its fulfillment an act of obedience and worship.

References: Key verses praise the fulfillment of vows as a characteristic of the righteous.

💭 Theological Perspective

Represents the human capacity to make solemn commitments to God as an expression of gratitude or seeking divine help.

Acts as a tool for self-discipline and obligating oneself to perform extra good deeds.

While generally discouraged to initiate, once made for an act of obedience, its fulfillment becomes a divine command.

Fulfilling vows demonstrates sincerity, strengthens resolve, and is counted among the deeds of the righteous who will enter Paradise.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized that vows must be for acts of obedience and forbade vows for sinful acts.

"Whoever vows to obey Allah must obey Him, and whoever vows to disobey Allah must not disobey Him."
Vows are generally discouraged as they don't change destiny but are a way to get something from a miserly person.
The expiation for a broken vow is the same as for a broken oath (kaffarat yameen).

There is a consensus (ijma) that a vow made to perform a permissible act of worship is binding and must be fulfilled.

💎 Deeper Insights

The fulfillment of vows is presented in the Quran as a characteristic of the highest level of believers, the 'Abrar' (76:7). This implies that honoring self-imposed commitments to Allah is a key differentiator that elevates a believer's spiritual station, moving them from simple obedience to proactive devotion.

— Ibn Kathir

While hadith discourages making vows, seeing it as 'extracting something from a miser,' the Quran's praise for fulfilling them creates a powerful spiritual lesson: Allah values sincere commitment over conditional bargaining. The ideal is to do good deeds without making them contingent on a worldly outcome, but if a commitment is made, honoring it becomes a paramount sign of faith.

— Consensus of Hadith commentators