Vow (Nadhr) is that a person binds themselves in doing a good deed or in refraining from an act which is better not done, for the sake of Allah.

Issue 1341: While making a vow, a formula must be pronounced, though it should not necessarily be in Arabic. So, if, for example, a person says, “If I recover from illness, there will be an obligation upon me to pay ten Tomans to the poor for the sake of Allah”, their vow will be in order.

Issue 1342: The person making a vow must be a sane adult, and must make the vow of their own free will and intention. Thus, if a person is compelled to make a vow, or if, owing to some state of anger or excitement, they make a vow out of their volition; their vow will not be valid.

Issue 1343: The vow of a wife will not be valid without the permission of her husband if it violates, in any way, the rights of the husband such as his benefiting from the wife as to the common extent.

Issue 1344: One can only make a vow which is possible for them to fulfill. Therefore, if they are not capable of traveling to Karbala’ on foot, their vow will not be valid if they make such a vow as to go there on foot.

Issue 1345: If a person makes a vow that they will perform an illegal or legally disapproved act, or that they will refrain from an obligatory or recommended act, their vow will not be valid.

Q1346: I have made a vow so as to fast for fourteen months if what I have in mind is realized. But up to now I have not done so despite the fulfillment of my wish. Will I be committed to this vow while I have not actually pronounced the formula for it?

A: It will be favorable if such vows are kept as far as one can undertake to do so, and the person will be rewarded and blessed.

Q1347: I have vowed to provide the local mosque with a kitchen implement each year. Is it permissible for me to buy books for the mosque library instead?

A: Just keep your vow.

Q1348: A woman's daughter fell ill. She vowed that if her daughter recovered from the illness and regained her health, then half of her marriage portion would be pledged for His Holiness Abulfadhl (PBUT), and she made this vow along with the pronunciation of its religious formula. Is such a vow valid?

A: Since the vow was made for the sake of another person, the person, who made it, would not be obliged to keep it; however, if the daughter herself is willing to keep this vow, she can fulfill it, although it is not necessary.

Q1349: What will a woman be obliged to do if she has vowed to perform the Jumu'ah (Friday) Ghusl for four successive weeks, but she should come to have her monthly periods?

A: Since Ghusls such as Friday Ghusl are valid even during menstruation, she should keep her vow.

Q1350: A person vows that, in the event of the fulfillment of a wish, they would pronounce one hundred salutations for the Holy Prophet and His Progeny (Salawat) everyday for the period of one year. In the case of breaking the vow, will that suffice if they make one single atonement (Kaffara) for it or will it be necessary to pay an individual atonement for each of the days separately?

A: One Kaffara will be sufficient.