What does thoughtless oaths mean?
ما المراد باللغو في اليمين؟
In Islamic jurisprudence, an oath (Yameen) means to swear or take a pledge. Because human beings often develop habits of speech, Islamic law differentiates between words spoken carelessly and words spoken with firm intent.
في الفقه الإسلامي، المقصود باليمين هو الحلف أو القسم. ولأن البشر غالبا ما يطورون عادات في الكلام، فإن الشريعة الإسلامية تفرق بين الكلمات التي تقال بعفوية والكلمات التي تقال بنية راسخة.
1. The Meaning of Thoughtless Oaths | معنى لغو اليمين
It means the oath that comes out of the tongue unintentionally. Ibn Abbas interpreted the thoughtless oath as that which is uttered by a person during his speech unintentionally. It is a mere habit of the tongue.
A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, provided a practical example. She said: "It is the thoughtless oath the man's saying: No, by Allah or, yes, by Allah, with his tongue unintentionally." In other words, it is uttered casually while a man is talking with others, without intending to lie or deceive.
المراد به: اليمين الذي يخرج من اللسان من غير قصد. وفسر ابن عباس يمين اللغو بأنه ما خرج من الشخص أثناء حديثه دون أن يكون قاصدا له.
وقالت عائشة رضي الله عنها في توضيح ذلك: "هو قول الرجل: لا والله وبلى والله، بلسانه من غير قصد". أي هو حديث الرجل مع الناس من غير تعمد الكذب.
2. The Quranic Ruling | الحكم القرآني
Allah the Almighty states clearly that there is no sin or penalty for these unintentional verbal habits:
(Allah will not call you to account for your thoughtless oaths). Surah Al Baqarah 2: 225.
يصرح الله تعالى بوضوح أنه لا إثم ولا كفارة على هذه العادات اللفظية غير المقصودة:
قال الله تعالى: (لَّا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ) البقرة 2: 225.
3. The Intended Oath | اليمين المنعقدة
To understand thoughtless oaths perfectly, one must contrast them with intended oaths. As for the intended oath, it is taken when a man deliberately swears by Allah, by one of His Exalted Attributes, or by His Glory on a possible future matter. This is an oath tied to the heart's intention, and breaking it requires expiation.
أما اليمين الأخرى فهي اليمين المنعقدة التي يحلف فيها بالله أو بصفة من صفاته عز وجل وعزة الله على أمر مستقبل ممكن، وهذه تتطلب النية وتوجب الكفارة عند الحنث بها.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Do I have to fast or pay expiation if I accidentally say "By Allah"?
No. If the oath slipped from your tongue unintentionally during normal speech, it is considered a thoughtless oath. Allah does not hold you accountable for it, and no expiation is required.
What is the difference between a thoughtless oath and an intended oath?
A thoughtless oath is an unintentional verbal habit. An intended oath is when your heart deliberately chooses to swear by Allah or His Attributes regarding a future action or statement.
How did Aisha explain the thoughtless oath?
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, explained that it is simply when a person says "No, by Allah" or "Yes, by Allah" without meaning to make a formal oath or intending to lie.