Saying ‘I Will Pray Regularly’ Is Not an Explicit Wording of a Vow

12-5-2022 | IslamWeb

Question:

As-salaam alykum sheikhMany years ago, before I knew what nadhr and oaths were and their rulings, I was talking to myself (while moving my lips) and I said something like "I will always pray 10 minutes after the azaan unless if I am in a congregation"; is this a binding vow which I should carry on forever and there is no expiation for it? JazakAllah khair May Allah bless everyone working on this website

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Your saying “I will pray regularly” is not an explicit wording of a vow, rather, it is a metaphor that does not make the vow binding except with the vow-maker’s intention.

You mentioned that you did not know anything about vows when you uttered those words, and accordingly, what you said is not considered a valid and binding vow if you did not intend to make a vow when you spoke. However, a Muslim must be keen on performing the (obligatory) prayers at the beginning of their due times and attend the congregational prayers.

Allah knows best.