Understanding Oaths in Islam: Can You Throw Away Food After Swearing?

The Implications of Swearing Oaths: Should Food Be Wasted?

Question: A man often brings food items for his children from outside, which sometimes harm them. Frustrated, his wife swears by Allah that if he brings such items again, she will throw them away. Is it correct to throw away the food items since she has sworn an oath?

Answer: The woman who swore this oath that she would throw away the food if her husband brings it again has acted out of ignorance. Food is a blessing from Allah and should not be wasted; it should be valued. Therefore, she should break this oath and pay the expiation for breaking an oath. She should also avoid making such oaths in the future. 

The expiation for breaking an oath is mentioned in Surah Al-Ma’idah: “Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for breaking what you intended of oaths. Its expiation 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.” (Al-Ma’idah: 89)

Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi حفظه الله

⟨Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah, Saudi Arabia⟩