Fulfilling his vow to pray if he committed a sin Fatwa No: 89849
- Fatwa Date:26-4-2005
My question is that I have many prayers which I made obligatory on myself. This happened because I said I will pray this much if I perform a sin and I did that sin. So now I have many prayers to pray. What I want to ask is, is it allowed to pray this kind of prayers after the 'Asr and Fajr prayers. I asked this question because I want to pray prayers, which become obligatory on myself because of oath after each Fard prayer so that it will not be difficult to me for to fulfill my oath.
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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The scholars differed in opinion in regarding the permissibility of offering a prayer that a person vowed to perform during the period when supererogatory prayers are disliked. In our view at Islamweb, there is no harm in performing a prayer that a person vowed to make during disliked times of prayer.
Ibn Qudaamah said: 'It is permissible to perform a prayer a person vowed to offer during disliked times, whether the vow is general or temporary.' Moreover, Imaam An-Nawawi said: 'It is permissible for a person to perform a prayer he vowed to offer during disliked times, and he may perform funeral prayer, the prostration for forgetfulness, the prostration for thankfulness, and the prayer after performing the Tawaaf (circumambulation around the Ka'bah)…' So it is permissible to perform a prayer during disliked times that a person vowed to offer, because there is a reason for performing such prayers, and the dislikeability is in relation to optional prayers without any reason.
Finally, we advise you to avoid making vows. 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Umar narrated: "The Prophet prohibited us from making vows and said: "It does not repel any harm."' [Al-Bukhari]
To conclude, you have to sincerely repent to Allaah, endeavour to perform righteous acts, avoid prohibitions and not let the devil overcome you. First, seek Allaah's Help and then keep company with righteous people who would help you perform good deeds and help you stay away from performing bad deeds because of being in their company. Indeed Allaah likes unity, as the wolf eats only the sheep that strays away from the herd.
Allaah knows best.