reading time ~7 mins

1. Nadhr
2. Types
   1. Conditional
   2. Unconditional
3. Permissibility
4. Applicability
5. Nadhr in Quran
6. Nadhr in Sunnah
7. Better Alternative
8. Summary
9. Additional Reading
   1. Links

Nadhr

Al Nadhr (النذر) is when you oblige yourself to do a deed that is not obligatory (usually because of something that you want to happen)

Other names: Vow (english), منّت Mannat (urdu)

This should not be confused with the urdu word “nazar” (‏نَظَر‎) which means evil eye. The arabic word for evil eye is “eayan alsharu” (عين الشر)

Types

Conditional

The word Nadhr means making something obligatory for oneself, and it becomes conditional when we attach some event with it (e.g. if so and so happens, I will fulfil so and so obligation, etc)

Example “I make a vow that if my sick dear one is healed, for the sake of God, it will be obligatory upon me to give 10 dollars to a poor person.”

Unconditional

There are also unconditional vows that can be taken that is to commit to Allah that one will perform a certain act (regardless of any events or outcomes)

Permissibility

Most Scholars consider this action of making Nadhr as Maqruh (Permissible but disliked)

Maqruh An act which is not haram (forbidden) or subject to punishment, however a person who abstains from this act will be rewarded. Muslims are encouraged to avoid such actions when or as possible.

If a conditional Vow is made, then it becomes Obligatory upon the person 

Applicability

1. Vows can be made only for acts of ‘Ibada (worship) e.g. Nafl Salah, Sadaqa, etc.
2. They cannot be made for already obligatory things (e.g. not for praying Fard Salah, these are already obligatory) 

Nadhr in Quran

Nadhr is mentioned some times in the Quran

1. The wife of Imran (mother of Maryam (عليها السلام)) vowed her unborn child for the service of Allah  (Quran 3:35)
2. Maryam (عليها السلام) was told to vow to not speak to people after the birth of ‘Isa (عليه والسلام)  (Quran 19:25-26)
3. Allah says that the righteous fulfill their vows (Nadhr) (Quran 76:5-7)
4. Allah is aware of the charity and vows you make (Quran 2:270)
5. Allah Says that vows of Hajj (sacrificing the animal) must be fulfilled (Quran 22:28-29) Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Nadhr in Sunnah

Vows are discouraged in the Sunnah

1. The Prophet (ﷺ) said (that Allah said), “Vowing does not bring to the son of Adam anything I have not already written in his fate, but vowing is imposed on him by way of fore ordainment. Through vowing I make a miser spend of his wealth” (al Bukhari 6609) 
2. Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “Do not take vows, for a vow has no effect against Fate; it is only from the miserly that something is extracted.” (Muslim 1640a) (an-Nasa’i 3805) (al-Tirmidhi 1538)
3. In another narration Sa`id bin Al-Harith (رضي الله عنه) said: that he heard Ibn `Umar  (رضي الله عنه) saying, “Weren’t people forbidden to make vows?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘A vow neither hastens nor delays anything, but by the making of vows, some of the wealth of a miser is taken out.”  (al Bukhari 6692)
4. Vows cannot be made in disobedience to Allah. Our Mother `Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever vows that he will be obedient to Allah, should remain obedient to Him; and whoever made a vow that he will disobey Allah, should not disobey Him.” (al Bukhari 6696)
5. Expiation of a “vow of disobedience” is the same as expiation of an oath (an-Nasa’i 3845) Expiation of an Oath “is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] – then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths” (Quran 5:89)

Better Alternative

If one wishes for something, it is better to make dua without making any vows

1. Dua can change Qadr (al Tirmidhi 2139)
2. Allah’s bounties are infinitely incomprehensible (Quran 3:74)
3. Dua is ‘Ibadah (Abi Dawud 147) (at-Tirmidhi 3372) (Ibn Majah 3828)
4. Whoever wants Dua answered in time of need then increase Dua at time of ease (at-Tirmidhi 3382)
5. Dua has three responses 1) answered 2) calamity/museeba deflected 3) Ajr in Akhira (Musnad Aḥmad 11133)
6. Allah is Akthar (اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ) (more). After the Sahaba were told of the three responses of Dua, they said we will ask for more. Prophet ﷺ replied Allah is even more (Musnad Aḥmad 11133)
7. If all creation ask and it is granted everything that they asked for, it does not reduce from dominion of Allah (Muslim 2577a)

Summary

1. The Prophet ﷺ discouraged from making vows
2. Making Vows by yourself is permissible but not encouraged
3. Fulfilling of vows is obligatory and rewarded as shown by the verses in the Quran
4. Vows do not change the Qadr (Destiny)
5. Vows create unnecessary obligation upon a person which Allah has not ordained. 
6. Do not make unrealistic or exaggerated vows (e.g. 100 rakat Nafl, doing 30 Fasts, etc)

Additional Reading

Links

1. Different types of Nadhr (Vows) (An excellent article summarizing types of Vows)