I made a vow that I would perform ‘Umrah when I get married, but I was not able to perform it; this was not because of financial considerations but because circumstances did not allow for it. I was not able to fulfill my vow for two years. My wife got pregnant in the third month, but had a miscarriage after two months and did not get pregnant again. Is this a punishment for not fulfilling my vow?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

If your intention when you made that vow was that you would perform ‘Umrah upon your marriage, this is considered a timed vow which you should have fulfilled when it became due (i.e. when you got married). It is impermissible for you to delay the fulfillment of such a vow except for a (valid) excuse such as an illness. If you delayed the fulfillment of your vow without a (valid) excuse, you have committed a sin. In such a case, it is incumbent on you to hasten to fulfill it before death overtakes you without clearing your liability from it.

However, if your intention was that you would perform ‘Umrah any time after getting married, this is not a timed vow since you did not specify a particular time for the fulfillment of the vow. Still, you should hasten to fulfill the vow, but you bear no sin for delaying it. However, it is recommended for you to fulfill your vow as soon as possible and hasten to clear your liability from it. You should know that the matter of vows is serious in the sight of Allaah Almighty. As for what happened to your wife, it may be a punishment for your laxness in fulfilling your vow and may also be merely a trial and test from Allaah, the Exalted, so as to raise you and your wife to an honorable status and expiate your sins. Anyhow, if you adhere to patience and seek the reward of Allaah, the Exalted, everything will work out for the best. Allaah, the Exalted, tests His slaves through hardship and ease for a great wisdom that one may fail to realize at the first glance. Allaah, the Exalted, says (what means): {…but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allaah, and indeed to Him we will return." Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.} [Quran 2:155-157]

Allaah Knows best.