As-salaam alykum sheikhMany years ago, before I knew what nadhr and oaths were and their rulings, I was talking to myself (while moving my lips) and I said something like "I will always pray 10 minutes after the azaan unless if I am in a congregation"; is this a binding vow which I should carry on forever and there is no expiation for it? JazakAllah khair May Allah bless everyone working on this website

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

Your saying “I will pray regularly” is not an explicit wording of a vow, rather, it is a metaphor that does not make the vow binding except with the vow-maker’s intention.

You mentioned that you did not know anything about vows when you uttered those words, and accordingly, what you said is not considered a valid and binding vow if you did not intend to make a vow when you spoke. However, a Muslim must be keen on performing the (obligatory) prayers at the beginning of their due times and attend the congregational prayers.

Allah knows best.