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Fatwa CenterMaking recompense for swearing to a lie
Question
Last year I took an oath by Allaah, but I was lying. I swore by Allaah to a friend that I hadn't done something but I had and I knew I had been lying. I repented to Allaah and I know that we can either release a slave or feed 10 poor people, but at the moment I found it difficult to find 10 poor people even though I had enough money. It was hard for me to find ten poor Muslims. So I fasted three days.
Now, a year later, I feel that maybe I did wrong because I had enough money, but I still fasted three days. Now I can easily find ten poor people, so my question is: Did Allaah accept my repentance or should I still feed ten poor people?
Answer
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.
Swearing to a lie is a characteristics of hypocrites and not a quality of believers. Allaah described the hypocrites saying (interpretation of the meaning): {And they swear to untruth while they know [they are lying]. Allaah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing.}[58:14-15]. So whoever swore to a lie has to sincerely repent to Allaah, fulfilling the conditions of repentance that are stated in Fatwa: 87903.
However, the majority of scholars are of the view that there is no expiation for whoever deliberately swears to a lie, because he/she has indeed committed a sin which cannot be expiated the same as for breaking an oath. But rather one has to repent. Nevertheless, the Shaafi'ee school are of the view that expiation of the oath is obligatory on whomever swears to a lie. Doing this is, of course, safer and in order to be acquitted. Therefore, fasting while you are able to feed or cloth ten poor people cannot take the place of feeding them, and you are now obliged to feed ten poor people.
Allaah knows best.
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