Chapter 43: The One Who is not Satisfied with an Oath being Taken in Allah’s Name – Kitāb at-Tawhid of Imām Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhāb

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.

“The One Who is not Satisfied with an Oath being Taken in Allah’s Name.” (al-Half حلف) – i.e., to swear by Allah.

The Text of the Chapter:

Shaikhul-Islam Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhāb said:

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhumā) said that the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

لاَ تَحْلِفُوا بِآبَائِكُمْ مَنْ حَلَفَ بِاللَّهِ فَلْيَصْدُقْ وَمَنْ حُلِفَ لَهُ بِاللَّهِ فَلْيَرْضَ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَرْضَ بِاللَّهِ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ اللَّهِ 

“Do not swear by your fathers, and whoever swears by Allah, then let him speak truthfully, and whoever is given an oath by Allah’s Name, then let him be pleased with it, and whoever is not pleased with it – and whoever is not content with Allah has nothing to do with Allah.” (Ibn Mājah, 2101, graded saheeh by Al-Albāni in Saheeh al-Jāmi’, 7247)

Explanation

The chapter heading refers to the one who does not give Allah (the Most High) the great veneration that He deserves, and who is not pleased that an oath be taken in Allah’s name, and from this, we see the relevance of the chapter heading to Tawheed. That is because Tawheed of Allah is to affirm for Him His Might and His Glory – that He is the Creator of the universe and all of creation, and He is the One who disposes of it as He wishes.

He is the controller of the universe, and it is obligatory to honour His Name, and to give it the veneration that it deserves, in glorification of Him. It is not permissible to scorn or to belittle His Name. One should not be dissatisfied with an oath being taken in Allah’s Name. Allah’s Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) commanded the people to swear by their Lord, and that whoever swears by Allah, then it is obligatory upon him to be truthful when he swears, and it is obligatory for one to be pleased that Allah was sworn by, and not other than Allah.

If there is an overwhelming suspicion that the one who has sworn by Allah has lied, then Allah (the Most High) will recompense him with what he recompenses the liars – those who have displayed such audacity before Allah.

For this reason, Allah’s Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “…and whoever is given an oath by Allah’s Name, then let him be pleased with it, and whoever is not pleased with it – and whoever is not content with Allah has nothing to do with Allah.” This threat is proof of the weakness of the Eemān of the one who is displeased with an oath in the name of Allah whilst he knows that Allah is the One who brings about everything.

From Al-ʿAllāmah Shaikh Ahmad Ibn Yahyā An-Najmi’s (rahimahullāh) explanation with added notes by Abu Khadeejah.

سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت، أستغفرك وأتوب إليك

الحمد لله رب العالمين وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم

This article was transcribed by Umm Maryam (may Allah reward her) from the classes of Abu Khadeejah (SalafiSounds.com). Please share it with others.