Whoever takes an oath to do something and then he finds a better alternative which brings …

Islam > Hadiths > Jurisprudence and juristic principles > Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles

Hadith narrated by Narrated by Muslim

Authenticity grade : Authentic hadith

Updated on 24 September 2026 at 12:34 AM

📖 1 min read

Hadith text: Whoever takes an oath to do something and then he finds…

عن أبي طَرِيف عدي بن حاتم رضي الله عنه مرفوعاً: «مَن حَلَف على يَمِين ثم رأى أَتقَى لله مِنها فَلْيَأت التَّقوَى».

Abu Tarīf ‘Adiyy ibn Hātim (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever takes an oath to do something and then he finds a better alternative which brings him closer to Allah should do what is better in piety."

Explanation of the hadith: Whoever takes an oath to do something and then he finds…

The Hadīth states that anyone takes an oath to do or not to do something, and then he sees that doing something else is better and more pleasing to Allah than abiding by the oath, then he is recommended to break the oath and do what is better. If the oath is related to something that is obligatory to be done or to be abandoned, such as swearing to abandon the prayer or to drink wine; in this case, he must break his oath and do what is more pleasing to Allah. In other words, he must do what is obligatory and abandon what is forbidden.

Categories : Oaths and Vows

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