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Fatwa CenterVowing to wear hijab if accepted in certain school
Question
I said, "If I get accepted into this school, I will start wearing a hijab." Is this considered a vow? I read somewhere on this website that if something is already obligatory, then the vow is invalid? I am striving to start wearing the hijab soon, but I want to wear it in my own time and when I am ready so that I do not take it off, as I have worn it before I was ready and did so in the past. Also, I feel guilty as I did not know that making promises or vows is frowned upon in Islam; how can I repent? I am trying to be a better muslim and want to take it one step at a time in order to strengthen my faith. Also, I am wondering about conditional things, I said, "If I get into this school;" does me not being able to do this affect that? Should I wear it because I said this? I do not know what to do. (I have not applied to schools yet or gotten in.) I have just been feeling guilty in my heart. I made the promise internally to Allaah, the Exalted, and with the intention to fulfill it, but as I try to wear a scarf here and there, I find it too difficult to carry out as of now; however, Allaah willing, I do intend to wear it soon. Thank you for any response. I am just a worried sister striving to be a better Muslim. May Allaah reward you.
Answer
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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
First of all, we commend you for trying to be steadfast on the obedience of Allah and wearing the hijab. We ask Allah to bless you with success, and we advise you to supplicate Allah as much as you can, for He is the source of support, and He promised to answer supplications. Allah, The Exalted, says (what means): {And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell (rendered) contemptible.} [Quran 40:60]
Among the means to help you is attending religious assemblies in the Islamic centers and the like and keeping the company of righteous Muslim sisters. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen 
wrote in his regard, "We should bear in mind that Allah, The Exalted, tests His slave; sometimes He blesses him with righteous companions who enjoin him to do good, forbid him from committing sins, and help him do what he may find difficult, and sometimes He tests him with the company of people who are not like that." [Sharh Riyaadh As-Saaliheen]
If what you mentioned is the wording that you uttered, then it is not a vow. There is a specific wording for the vow in order to be valid and binding; for example, saying, "It is due on me to Allah to do such-and-such..." and the like of that. Ibn Qudaamah wrote, "The wording of a vow is to say, 'It is due upon me to Allah to do such-and such.' If the person says, 'I vow to do such-and-such', then the vow is also binding because he explicitly mentioned the term 'vow'. It is also considered a vow when he says, 'If Allah heals me, it is upon me to fast a month...'" [Al-Mughni]
Some scholars stipulated that the person must use the word 'vow' in the wording for the vow to be valid and binding.
In brief, what you said is not the wording of a vow, and even if it is, then a vow to do a religious obligation is not valid as you have read in our fatwas. Hence, you should not worry about this matter.
However, you should hasten to wear the hijab and adhere to it, as it is a religious obligation, and it is impermissible for the Muslim woman to neglect it or delay it indefinitely or make it conditional upon acceptance in a school or any other matter. We have previously explained the evidence that the hijab is an obligation in fatwas 84341 and 84053.
Allah knows best.
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