Nazr (also spelled Nadhr) is a vow in which a Muslim binds himself to an act of worship for Allah that was not obligatory on him, using words that show commitment, such as “I owe it to Allah to fast three days”. Making a vow is disliked, but once a vow of obedience is made, fulfilling it is obligatory (Islamweb). Whoever becomes permanently unable to fulfil a vow owes the expiation for an oath, and a vow to commit a sin must never be carried out.
- A vow is not made by intention alone; it needs words that show commitment.
- A conditional vow, such as one tied to recovery or success, is due only if the condition happens.
- A vow with no set time does not have to be fulfilled at once, while a timed vow is due on its time.
- The expiation for a vow one cannot fulfil is the same as the expiation for an oath.
- A vow to anyone other than Allah is not allowed and must not be fulfilled.
What is Nazr, and how is a vow made?
There is no special formula for Nazr: any statement that shows commitment makes it binding, such as “I owe it to Allah to give this amount in charity” or “If I pass, I owe it to Allah to fast a day”. Most scholars do not require the word “vow” itself. A sentence that does not show commitment, such as “If I pass, I will pray”, is not a vow unless the speaker meant it as one; otherwise it is a promise that is recommended to keep. If someone adds “if Allah wills” intending an exception, the vow does not become binding.
A vow is not made by intention alone without words. Someone who only decided in his heart to pray if he passed owes nothing.
What is the ruling on making a vow in Islam?
Making a vow is disliked, and fulfilling it is obligatory when the vow is an act of obedience. Allah praises those who keep their vows: “They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread” [Al-Insan 76:7]. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever vows that he will be obedient to Allah, should remain obedient to Him” (Al-Bukhari). So the dislike applies to making the vow, and the obligation applies to fulfilling it.
The reason for the dislike is that the Prophet ﷺ forbade vowing and said: “In fact, vowing does not prevent anything, but it makes a miser to spend his property” (Al-Bukhari). A person making a vow may turn his worship into an exchange for something he wants from Allah, which is why a conditional vow is valid but disliked. When a Muslim wants to do good, it is better to do it straight away without binding himself with a vow.
Types of vows and the ruling on each
Scholars divide vows into seven types:
- A vow made in anger or stubbornness: meant to push oneself or someone else to do something or to stop it, not to draw closer to Allah. It is treated like an oath.
- A vow of obedience: such as prayer, fasting or charity, whether unconditional or tied to a blessing. It must be fulfilled.
- An unspecified vow: such as saying “I owe Allah a vow” without naming anything. Most scholars say it requires the expiation for an oath.
- A vow to commit a sin: it is not permissible to fulfil it, by consensus, and scholars differ on whether expiation is due.
- A vow to do something merely permissible: such as wearing a certain garment. The person may do it, or leave it and pay the expiation for an oath; Malik and Ash-Shafi’i held that such a vow is not binding at all.
- A vow to do an obligation: such as an obligatory prayer. It is not binding, since the act is already required.
- A vow to do the impossible: such as fasting a day that has passed. It is not binding and requires nothing.
Conditional vows: do I have to fulfil a vow made for recovery or success?
A vow tied to a condition, such as “If Allah cures my sick relative, I owe it to Allah to give this amount in charity”, is valid though disliked, and it becomes due only if the condition happens. If the sick person recovers or the student passes, you must fulfil what you vowed; if the condition does not happen, you owe nothing.
When must a vow be fulfilled, and can it be delayed?
A vow must be fulfilled in the way it was made. If it has no set time, the preferred view is that it does not have to be fulfilled at once, unless its wording requires that, though hurrying to fulfil it is better. A vow tied to a specific time is due on that time; whoever delays it past its time while able to fulfil it has sinned, must still fulfil it, and owes the expiation for an oath.
Expiation for a vow: what if I cannot fulfil it?
If your inability is permanent, you owe the expiation for an oath, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “The expiation of the (breach of) a vow is the same as that of the (breach of an oath)” (Muslim). If your inability is temporary, such as a passing illness, wait until it ends, then fulfil your vow, with no expiation due. If someone vowed to give money in charity while unable to afford it, the Shafi’i and Hanafi schools hold that the vow is suspended while he cannot afford it, and becomes due once he can.
The expiation for an oath is feeding ten eligible people, clothing them or freeing a slave; whoever cannot do any of these fasts three days. You can find its amount and how to pay it in Kaffarah for Breaking an Oath: Amount, Conditions and How to Pay.
What is the ruling on a vow to anyone other than Allah?
A vow is an act of worship, so it may not be directed to anyone other than Allah, and directing it to others is a form of shirk. If the person believes that the one he vows to can benefit or harm him, or intercede for him with Allah, it is major shirk; if he holds no such belief, it is a sinful vow that must not be fulfilled.
How to fulfil your vow
- Where it goes: if you did not name a recipient when making the vow, give it to any good cause; if you did name one, do not move it elsewhere unless it cannot reach that recipient or the recipient no longer needs it.
- A vow to feed people: it is fulfilled with food, and many scholars allow giving cash instead when money benefits the recipients more.
- Giving the value: most scholars require fulfilling exactly what was vowed, while some allow giving its value when the substitute brings a clear benefit.
- Using a charity: you may ask a trusted charity to distribute your vow, telling them it is a vow so they spend it in the right place.
You can fulfil your vow through Qatar Charity’s vows page, so it reaches those entitled to it. To read more, see Sadaqah in Islam: Its Virtues in This Life and the Hereafter.
Nazr in five questions
What is Nazr?
A vow in which a Muslim binds himself to an act of worship for Allah that was not obligatory, using words that show commitment, such as “I owe it to Allah to fast a day”.
Is making a vow recommended?
No. Making a vow is disliked, but once a vow of obedience is made, fulfilling it is obligatory.
Is a vow made by intention alone?
No. Intention alone is not enough; the vow needs words that show commitment.
What is the expiation if I cannot fulfil my vow?
If the inability is permanent, you owe the expiation for an oath. If it is temporary, wait until it ends and then fulfil your vow, with no expiation due.
Can a vow be paid in cash?
The basic rule is to fulfil exactly what you vowed, but many scholars allow paying a vow to feed people in cash when it benefits the recipients more.
Fulfil your vow in a few steps: Pay your vow through Qatar Charity
