What Is the Ruling on Swearing by Allah Falsely? Al-Azhar Explains the Ruling on the False Oath (Yamin Ghamus)
Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwa has clarified the Islamic ruling on swearing falsely by Allah, explaining the meaning of the false oath (Yamin Ghamus), its ruling, whether it requires expiation, and the conditions for sincere repentance.
What Is the Ruling on Swearing Falsely by Allah? Al-Azhar Explains the False Oath
Many Muslims ask about the Islamic ruling on swearing falsely by Allah, especially when denying something they actually did. In this regard, Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwa explained that swearing falsely by Allah is one of the gravest sins and requires immediate sincere repentance because of its severe consequences in Islamic law.
What Is Yamin Ghamus?
Al-Azhar explained that knowingly swearing falsely by Allah is known in Islamic jurisprudence as Yamin Ghamus, also referred to as the false or sinful oath because it plunges its maker into sin and, if left without repentance, into punishment.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Whoever swears a false oath to unlawfully take another person's property will meet Allah while He is angry with him." This is supported by the Qur'anic verse: "Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their oaths for a small price... for them is a painful punishment."
Does Yamin Ghamus Require Expiation?
According to Al-Azhar, the majority of Islamic scholars hold that the false oath cannot be erased merely by offering the standard expiation for oaths. Instead, sincere repentance is obligatory because it is considered one of the major sins.
However, scholars of the Shafi'i school maintain that both sincere repentance and the expiation for an oath are required. Combining repentance with expiation is considered the safer opinion.
What Is the Expiation for an Oath?
For those who follow the opinion requiring expiation, it consists of one of the following:
- Feeding ten needy people.
- Providing clothing for ten needy people.
- If unable to do either, fasting for three days.
How Can Someone Repent from a False Oath?
Al-Azhar emphasized that sincere repentance requires immediately abandoning the sin, feeling genuine remorse, firmly resolving never to return to it, and restoring the rights of others if the false oath resulted in injustice or the unlawful taking of property.
What Are the Conditions for Repenting from Backbiting?
In a related clarification, Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta explained that repentance from backbiting requires remorse, abandoning the sin, seeking Allah's forgiveness, sincere repentance, and a firm intention not to repeat it. It also includes praying for the person who was backbitten and mentioning their good qualities instead.
Dar Al-Ifta added that it is not necessary to inform the person who was backbitten, as doing so may create resentment, hostility, or greater harm, which contradicts the objectives of Islamic law in promoting compassion and harmony among people.
Conclusion
Swearing falsely by Allah is a major sin known as Yamin Ghamus. Anyone who commits it should hasten to sincere repentance, restore any violated rights, and, according to some scholarly opinions, also offer the prescribed expiation for an oath to ensure freedom from liability before Allah.
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