Consecutiveness in fulfilling a vow of fast

3-8-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

I vowed to fast half of a month if I would get the second position among the students who would get the highest marks in my country. I indeed got the second position. Then I made another vow to fast a second half of a month if I would get a scholarship abroad and to observe this fast in the country where I would travel to. I indeed got the scholarship. In the first case, I fasted only 11 days, not half of a month as I intended. I also did not fast these days consecutively. In the second case, I fasted only four days in the country that I traveled to. I am confused now regarding this matter. Should I continuously fast every other day until I complete the number of the vowed days? What should I do?

---

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

Making a vow is disliked in the Sharee'ah due to the relevant proofs in this regard. You made a conditional vow and became required to fulfill the vow once the matter upon which you made your vow conditional occurred.

If you did not intend to fast those days consecutively in your first and second vow, then you should fast the rest of the days, and you are not required to do anything else. If you did intend to fast those days consecutively, then you have to recommence the fast of the two vows and, according to the opinion of the majority of scholars, you are not required to offer an expiation.

Allaah Knows best.