THE CHAPTER OF THE NEZZARIYYAH · 17 – EXPIATION BEFORE BREAKING AN OATH
Abū Bürdah narrated from his father (Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī), may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“I swear by Allah, and if I were to swear an oath and then see something better than what I swore upon, I would expiate my oath and do what is better.” Or he said, “But I only do what is best and expiate my oath.” [149]
**Note:** *The bracketed number [149] indicates a reference within the original text, likely to a footnote or commentary.*
Abdurrahman ibn Samura (may Allah be pleased with him) related:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said to me, “O Abdurrahman ibn Samura, when you swear an oath regarding something and find that one thing is better than another, then do the more virtuous [thing], and expiate for your oath.” [150]
Abu Dawud said:
I heard that Ahmad ibn Hanbal permitted dispensation to atone for an oath before it is broken.
A narration similar to the preceding one was reported from Abdurrahman bin Semure, may Allah be pleased with him. In this narration, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Atone for your oath, then do what is more virtuous.”
Abu Dawud said:
Regarding the matter of oaths, in the narrations reported by Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, Adiy bin Hatim, and Abu Huraira, some versions relate that breaking the oath comes before atonement, while other versions relate it as coming before breaking the oath.