5:88-89

5:88-89

5:88

Eat of the things which Allah hath provided for you, lawful and good; but fear Allah, in Whom ye Believe

5:89

Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth Allah make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful.

Islamic teachings recognize that individuals may sometimes make impulsive or unrealistic oaths, particularly in moments of anger or without careful consideration. Examples include swearing to harm someone in anger or promising to donate an amount of money that one is not capable of giving. Such statements are regarded as rash or impractical promises, and Islamic law indicates that God does not hold individuals strictly accountable for these types of futile or thoughtless oaths.

However, when people make deliberate and sincere promises that they genuinely intend to fulfill but later fail to keep, the Qurʾān prescribes specific forms of expiation. These penalties serve as a reminder of the seriousness of making commitments and encourage individuals to treat their words responsibly. The passage concludes by urging believers to honor their reasonable promises and to fulfill them faithfully. Islamic teachings therefore discourage making promises carelessly, particularly when invoking God’s name, emphasizing that commitments function as binding covenants and that all human actions are subject to divine accountability.

References:

Emerick, Yahiya. The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an in Today’s English (p. 829). Unknown. Kindle Edition.