Although, in Islam, swearing or taking an oath can be permissible under certain conditions, it is generally discouraged unless there is a serious need. When done without proper intention or in inappropriate contexts, swearing is discouraged because it may lead to misuse of Allah’s name or be used frivolously, which goes against the principles of sincerity and respect.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has cautioned the Muslims against the practice of swearing on even petty matters, specially when covering one's falsehood. One such hadith is in Sunan Abi Dawud (Book # 22 Oaths and Vows (Kitab Al-Aiman Wa Al-Nudhur) / كتاب الأيمان والنذور / Chapter # 1218 It Is Disliked To Swear By One's Forefathers / باب فِي كَرَاهِيَةِ الْحَلِفِ بِالآبَاءِ as Hadith number # 3248, quoted herein under:
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Do not swear by your fathers, or by your mothers, or by rivals to Allah; and swear by Allah only, and swear by Allah only when you are speaking the truth.
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا عَوْفٌ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَحْلِفُوا بِآبَائِكُمْ وَلاَ بِأُمَّهَاتِكُمْ وَلاَ بِالأَنْدَادِ وَلاَ تَحْلِفُوا إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ وَلاَ تَحْلِفُوا بِاللَّهِ إِلاَّ وَأَنْتُمْ صَادِقُونَ " .
Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)
This hadith teaches the importance of reverence for Allah alone and highlights how oaths should be used appropriately and truthfully, with sincerity and awareness of Allah’s majesty.
Explanation of the Hadith in Light of the Quran
Oaths Reserved for Allah Alone:
The hadith emphasizes that Muslims should only swear by Allah, not by creation (e.g., parents or rivals to Allah). This aligns with the monotheistic principle that Allah alone is worthy of veneration and absolute reverence.
In the Quran, Allah states:
"Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds." (Surah Al-An'am, 6:162)
This verse reflects the need to dedicate all acts, words, and intentions solely to Allah. Swearing by anyone or anything other than Allah would imply an association or level of reverence that belongs to Allah alone, conflicting with tawhid (the Oneness of Allah).
Truthfulness in Oaths
The hadith advises that one should swear by Allah only when speaking the truth, stressing the sanctity of Allah's name. Swearing falsely by Allah’s name is a severe offense because it shows a disregard for His honor and authority.
Allah speaks about false oaths in the Quran, warning against them:
"And do not use Allah's name in your oaths as an excuse to prevent you from being righteous, mindful of Allah, and making peace between people. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:224)
This verse emphasizes that oaths should be taken with sincerity and truthfulness, highlighting that Allah is aware of the intentions behind each word. Taking an oath frivolously or falsely is discouraged, as it degrades the sanctity of Allah’s name.
Condemnation of False Oaths
The Prophet’s instruction to “swear by Allah only when speaking the truth” aligns with several Quranic verses condemning false oaths. Such oaths are considered hypocrisy and dishonesty and hold severe consequences.
In Surah Ali ‘Imran, Allah says:
"Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment." (Surah Ali 'Imran, 3:77)
This verse highlights the consequences of using oaths deceitfully and exchanging Allah’s name for personal gain. Misusing Allah’s name for dishonesty or trivial purposes can lead to a severe penalty in the Hereafter.
Respecting the Oneness of Allah
The hadith also discourages taking oaths in the name of anything or anyone other than Allah, emphasizing the unique status of Allah in the hearts and lives of Muslims. Swearing by anything created (such as parents or other figures) suggests a reverence that can undermine the concept of Allah’s Oneness.
The Quran frequently calls for exclusive devotion to Allah. For instance:
"And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone." (Surah Al-Jinn, 72:18)
This verse illustrates the exclusivity that belongs to Allah in worship and veneration, including oaths. By swearing only by Allah, believers affirm their dedication to Him alone.
Promoting Honesty and Integrity
By specifying that one should swear only by Allah and only truthfully, this hadith promotes honesty and integrity in all interactions. A sincere believer avoids misusing Allah’s name, ensuring that their words and oaths reflect truth and respect for Allah.
The Quran also commands honesty and truthfulness:
"O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice." (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:70)
This command encourages believers to uphold truth and sincerity in their speech. Swearing by Allah while being honest enhances the credibility of one’s words and is a testament to the fear of Allah.
Lessons and Benefits Derived from the Hadith
- Strengthening Tawhid (Monotheism): Swearing solely by Allah reinforces the concept of tawhid, instilling in the believer a consciousness that Allah alone deserves such reverence. It discourages practices that could lead to shirk (associating partners with Allah).
- Avoidance of Falsehood and Hypocrisy: The restriction to swear only truthfully underlines the seriousness of invoking Allah’s name. False oaths lead to a loss of integrity and accountability in society, and thus Islam warns against them.
- Enhancing Respect for Allah’s Name: This hadith reminds believers to avoid invoking Allah’s name lightly. Swearing in His name should only be done with sincerity and on truthful matters, reflecting the reverence due to Allah.
- Upholding Trust and Honesty in Society: A society that values truthfulness in oaths fosters mutual trust. This hadith discourages dishonesty and establishes honesty as a foundational value, which builds a stronger, more reliable community.
In summary, this hadith emphasizes monotheism and truthfulness, guiding Muslims to honor Allah in their words and deeds. It is a reminder to avoid associating Allah’s greatness with anyone or anything else and to maintain honesty and integrity in all matters.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
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