Vows (Nadhar)

Rule (1551) Valid vows require that the person vowing must be mature, free of compulsion, aware of his decisions, permission of the master if one is a slave, and the need for husband's permission in the case of the wife in case where the vow is not against his rights, is objectionable, it is not far from reality to consider husband's permission not required for the vow of the wife specially when the vow is not related to her property, but if her vow is against his rights, there is no doubt that his permission is required for the validity of her vow even if such permission comes afterwards, provided, the vow is made when she is the wife, in fact, even if the vow takes place before she becomes his wife, according to a more clear reason. Apparently, the vow of a son is not valid if the father has prohibited him from what the son has vowed to do, and such vow is dissolved due to father's prohibition.

Rule (1552) Vows are either to express thanks for a favor like saying, "if I will have a son I will owe to Allah such and such," or for seeking security like saying," if I recover from this illness, I will owe to Allah such and such," or to stop one self from committing some thing unlawful like saying, "If I did so and so, I will owe to Allah such and such" or if I did not do such and such, I will owe to Allah such and such," or it is just a volunteering deed. The subject of a vow in all cases must be a deed of obeying Allah and within the ability of the person committing himself to the vow.

Rule (1553) Vows must be for Allah in order to be valid. If one says, "I owe to do such and such and does not say, I owe to Allah he is not obligated for any thing. If one says it in its translation, apparently, it is obligatory to fulfil such vow.

Rule (1554) If one makes a vow without specifying the subject or deed, he must give some thing in charity or pray two Rak-at prayer or fast a day or do some thing virtuous. If one vows to fast and says it in Arabic for a 'HIN', which means a while, he, by saying this owes to fast six months and if he says, the Arabic word 'Zaman' he owes to fast five months. If one says, "I will give in charity much property," according to a report 'HADITH' he gives 80 Dirhams and this is what is practiced.

Rule (1555) If one loses the ability to pay his vows it will remain of no effect if his inability continues. If he regains his ability within the effective time of the vow it is necessary to fulfil its requirement. If the statement forming the vow is of general nature it will not require a particular time, but if it is limited with a certain time or place observing such limit is necessary.

Rule (1556) If one vows to fast one day and on that day one accidentally travels or becomes ill or experiences menses or gives birth or it becomes 'id ' one does not fast that day and makes it up later on some other day.

Rule (1557) If one vows to present his horse or some property to the house of Allah or a holy shrine, such present is used for the benefit of such places, if not possible it is sold and the proceeds are spent for such places.

Rule (1558) If someone has vowed to give some thing to the holy Prophet or a religious personality, the intention of the person vowing must be followed and in a doubtful condition, it is decided according to the face meaning of the statement of the vowing person, if he has vowed just to spend for the holy Prophet, the amount is spent for the visitors of his shrine, the poor or the maintenance of his holy shrine etc.