Is it permissible to change a vowed action to something better?
Question If I have made a vow, is it permissible to change the action and place to another action and place? After I made the vow, I realized that a different action and place would be better than the first. Praise be to Allah. Yes, it is permissible to change the action mentioned in a…
Question
Praise be to Allah.
Yes, it is permissible to change the action mentioned in a
vow to something that is better.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in al-Ikhtiyaaraat
(p. 329):
Whoever vows to observe a specific fast can change it to a
better time. End quote.
For example, if a person vowed to fast on Tuesday, then he
may fast on Monday instead because that is better.
The Standing Committee was asked about changing a vowed
action to something that is better than the first. They replied:
The basic principle is that if a man mentions a specific
place in his vow, such as a vow to give charity or build a mosque in a
specific place, he is obliged to fulfil that vow in the place and manner
specified, so long as there is no shar’i reason not to do so, unless he
changes it to a place that is better, such as the two Holy Sanctuaries
(Makkah and Madeenah). There is nothing wrong with that. This is indicated
by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
to the man who had vowed to sacrifice a camel in Bawaanah. He said: “Were
there any idols of the Jaahiliyyah there that were worshipped?” He said: No.
He said: “Were any of their festivals held there?” He said: No. He said:
“Then fulfil your vow.”
He commanded him to fulfil his vow in the place that he had
specified because there were no reasons why he should not do so. The fact
that a vowed action may be moved to a better place is indicated by the fact
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a
man who had vowed to pray in Bayt al-maqdis (Jerusalem): “Pray here.” The
man repeated his statement and he said, “Pray here.” The man repeated his
statement again and he said: “It’s up to you.” Narrated by Abu Dawood and
Ahmad.
And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send
blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and
companions.
From Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Ifta’, 23/318.
