Before we get to know what happens if you break a promise to Allah (SWT), let’s see what is the Importance of keeping a promise in the Qur’an.
The one who keeps a promise is considered a reliable and trustworthy person in this world and the hereafter. There are many verses that talk about the importance of keeping one’s word.
For example, in Surah As-Saff, Allah says:
“O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do.” (Quran 61:2-3)
And in Surah Al-Nahl’, Allah says:
“And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, [O believers], and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allah, over you, a witness. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.” (Quran 16-91)
These verses emphasize the importance of keeping one’s promises and not going back on one’s word.
Vows are of two types:
1. Conditional Vow: These are the vows in which we say that if so and so work is done I will give some charity or keep a fast etc
2. Unconditional Vow: I will do this charity or any service for the sake of Allah.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6696, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Whoever vows to obey Allaah, let him obey Him, and whoever vows to disobey Him let him not disobey Him.”
The obligation to fulfill a vow is stronger in the case of a conditional vow, although it is obligatory to fulfill both types, as stated above.
If anyone breaks a promise to Allah (SWT) he will have to give a Kaffara or expiation for it. Keeping a promise is generally considered a good virtue and is encouraged in Islam
Verily! He was true to what he promised, …} [19:54].
Punishment For Breaking Promise to Allah (SWT):
Breaking promises is among the characteristics of hypocrites.
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:
“Whenever he (hypocrite) makes a promise, he breaks it” . [Reported by Imams al-Bukhari and Muslim ].
The following ayah is about Munafiqeen. Allah says some hypocrites give Allah their strongest oaths that if He enriches them from His bounty, they will give away alms and be among the righteous. However, they did not fulfill their vows or say the truth with their words. The consequence of this action is that hypocrisy was placed in their hearts until the Day they meet Allah the Exalted, on the Day of Resurrection.
“So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet Him because they broke that (covenant with Allaah) which they had promised to Him and because they used to tell lies”
[al-Tawbah 9:77]
إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا
– [Surah nisa: Ayah 145]
Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire – and never will you find for them a helper.
It is one of the qualities of hypocrites or Munafiqoon that when he makes a promise he breaks it.
In a general sense, it outwardly looks easy to keep a promise especially if the outcomes are not desired by us or concerned to us. But the real test is after the commitment. Sometimes we forget or procrastinate on things that don’t concern us. And sometimes after making the promise we think that why did we even commit or we have over-committed? So it might really become difficult to keep a promise.
Kaffara For Breaking Promise to Allah:
Kaffara is a form of repentance in Islam that is performed by those who have broken a promise to Allah. The word “Kaffara” comes from the Arabic root meaning “to cover or atone for something.” In Islamic jurisprudence, Kaffara is often used in reference to the atonement for breaking an oath or vow.
The act of Kaffara is to make up for a broken promise, or for a sin that has been committed. It is a means of seeking forgiveness from Allah. Kaffara is often seen as an act of repentance, and it is a way to make amends for a past wrong. There are many different ways in which Kaffara can be carried out, and the most common is to give charity. Other forms of Kaffara include fasting and performing Hajj.
Kaffara is an important Islamic practice, and it is one that should be taken seriously. If a Muslim has made a promise to Allah, and he or she breaks that promise, then it is incumbent upon them to seek forgiveness through Kaffara. This is a way to show that they are sincere in their repentance and that they are willing to make a change in their lives. It is also a way to demonstrate their commitment to Allah and to the Islamic faith.
There are two types of Kaffara: Expiation and Penance
The expiation of breaking a promise is done by either feeding ten Masaakeen / Poor people or clothing 10 people or freeing a slave. But if any person cannot fulfill the above he shall fast for three days.
“Allah will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will punish you for your deliberate oaths; for its expiation (a deliberate oath) feed ten Masaakeen (poor persons), on a scale of the average of that with which you feed your own families, or clothe them or manumit a slave. But whosoever cannot afford (that), then he should fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn. And protect your oaths (i.e. do not swear much). Thus Allaah makes clear to you His Ayaat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) that you may be grateful”
[al-Maa’idah 5:89]
Shaykh al-Islam said in al-Ikhtiyaaraat (pp. 562-563):
Whoever repeats an oath before offering expiation, the correct view is that if this oath had to do with one action, only single expiation is to be offered; otherwise, he must offer two.
Expiation is performed by giving charity or fasting, while penance is performed by making up for the broken promise in some other way.
The amount of Kaffara required depends on the seriousness of the broken promise. For example, if someone breaks a promise to fast during Ramadan, they would need to expiate by fasting for 60 days consecutively.
Kaffara is not required if the broken promise was made unintentionally or if the person is unable to fulfill the vow. In such cases, it is enough to seek forgiveness from Allah.
Kaffara is a way for Muslims to show their remorse for breaking a promise to Allah and to seek His forgiveness. It is an act of worship that can help to purify the soul and helps us to come closer to Allah.
Does Allah Forgive Breaking Promises?
There are numerous examples in the Quran where Allah forgives people who have broken their promises. In fact, one of the verses even says that Allah loves those who repent and those who are clean. This shows that even if someone has made a mistake and broken their promise, Allah is still willing to forgive them if they seek forgiveness and try to make amends only if he/she breaks the promise unintentionally or performed Kaffara on broken promises.
There are many examples of people in the Quran who broke their promises but were still forgiven by Allah. For instance, the story of the Prophet Adam AS is a prime example. Adam AS was the first man and he was given a promise by Allah that he would never have to go to Hell if he did not eat from the tree of knowledge. However, Adam AS did eventually eat from the tree and he was immediately sent out of Paradise. Although he had broken his promise, Allah still forgave him and allowed him to return to Paradise after he had repented or performed Kaffara.
This is just a single example of how even though people may break their promises, Allah is always willing to forgive them if they repent and seek forgiveness. So if you have ever broken a promise, know that Allah is still willing to forgive you as long as you are sincere in your repentance.
There is no easy answer when it comes to the question of whether or not Allah forgives those who break their promises. On one hand, it is clear that Allah is forgiving and merciful, and on the other hand, it is clear that He is also just and takes promises very seriously. It is important to remember that Allah knows what is in our hearts and He knows what we are capable of, so He will judge us accordingly. There is no single answer that fits everyone, and it is up to each individual to seek guidance from Allah and ask for His forgiveness if they have broken a promise.
Punishment For Breaking a Promise
If a person breaks a promise, they may be required to pay compensation (Kaffara) or make a sincere apology. The amount of compensation or apology will depend on the severity of the broken promise.
If someone deliberately breaks a promise or covenant, then the Qur’an says that they have committed a grave sin. The punishment for breaking an oath in Islam is very severe. The person who breaks an oath has to offer three things as an expiation. First, they have to feed ten poor people. Second, they have to clothe ten poor people. Third, they have to set free a slave. If the person is unable to do any of these things, then they have to fast for three days. [al-Maa’idah 5:89]
The Qur’an says that those who break their promises will be punished in the hereafter. The Qur’an also says that those who deliberately break their promises will have a painful punishment in this life as well.
“Who break the covenant of Allah after its firm binding, and cut asunder what Allah has commanded to be joined, and spread mischief on earth. They are the utter losers…” (Qur’an 2:27)
