Page 218 - General Knowledge from the Qur'an

OATHS IN THE QUR'AN

FOR WHICH OATHS WILL PEOPLE
BE TAKEN TO TASK?
Allah will not take you to task for inadvertent statements in your
oaths, but He will take you to task for the intention your hearts have
made. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing. (Surat al-Baqara, 225)

INADVERTENT OATHS
Allah does not take you to task for your inadvertent oaths, but He will
take you to task for oaths you make intentionally. The expiation in that
case is to feed ten poor people with the average amount you feed your
family, or clothe them, or free a slave. Anyone without the means to do so
should fast three days. That is the expiation for breaking oaths when you
have sworn them. Keep your oaths. In this way Allah makes His Signs
clear to you, so that hopefully you will be thankful. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 89)

OATH WHILE TESTIFYING AND MAKING ONE'S WILL
And to every one We have appointed heirs of what parents and near
relatives leave; and as to those with whom your rights hands have rat-
ified agreements, give them their portion; surely Allah is a witness
over all things. (Surat an-Nisa', 33)
You who believe! When one of you is near to death and makes a will,
two just men from among you should act as witnesses; or, if you are trav-
elling when the misfortune of death occurs, two men who are strangers
to you. You should detain them after prayer and, if you are doubtful, they
should swear by Allah: 'We will not sell it for any price, even to a near rel-
ative, and we will not conceal the testimony of Allah. If we did we would
indeed be wrongdoers.' If it then comes to light that the two of them have
merited the allegation of wrongdoing, two others who have the most
right to do so should take their place and swear by Allah: 'Our testimony