THE DANGERS OF SWEARING

 

 

 

"WALLAHI" – THE DANGERS OF SWEARING

 

Unfortunately, there is a new norm going around across the Muslim World. A norm which has been taken lightly, yet carries serious implications. Swearing by Allah.

 

Nowadays, trust has been lost. The credibility of people are now doubtful. Muslims seem more in need to swear by Allah to give credence to their words. Wallahi, Wallahi, Wallahi…. It has become a shortcut to prove their integrity and good intentions. But sadly, most Muslims have failed to understand and grasp the seriousness of this issue. Not only is constant swearing a bad habit, but it may come with some major consequences.

 

When Muslims become accustomed to swearing at any time and for whatever reason, they may fall into swearing to an oath which he/she may not be able to fulfill. (i.e. I swear to God I won’t talk to her anymore, I swear to God I won’t eat from his food, I swear to God I won’t go to so and so place….etc.) This matter should not pass by lightly. Using Allah’s name is no joke. It’s not as easy as asking for forgiveness and moving on. But a broken oath will require an expiation.

 

As Allah says in the Quran:

 

“Allah will not call you to account for your thoughtless oaths, but He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. The penalty for a broken oath is to feed ten poor people from what you normally feed your own family, or to clothe them, or to free a slave. But if none of this is affordable, then you must fast three days. This is the penalty for breaking your oaths. So be mindful of your oaths (i.e. do not swear much). This is how Allah makes things clear to you, so perhaps you will be grateful. ” [Al-Maa'idah 5:89]

 

Sadly, many Muslims have misunderstood the ruling of this verse and are taking the easy way out and expiating their sins by fasting three days (last option), whereas, fasting is only an expiation for those who are unable to apply any of the former three options. And Allah knows the true capacity of each one of us, so we should never opt for the last option if we are capable of doing any of the other three.

 

Swearing should not be used except when it is absolutely necessary. Today, Muslims are now making it a custom to swear in their everyday conversation. Swearing by Allah was once held in high regards and only used for serious matters, people have now abused the use so much that Allah’s name is not been given its due respect.

 

Although swearing is to prove the truthfulness of the speaker, when constantly being used for every little matter, it starts to create suspicion and mistrust among the people which then defeats its real purpose. Their words become less worthy which is unfortunate.

 

Regrettably, many Muslims are also swearing by other than Allah. Swearing by the Prophet, by the Quran, by the life of another, by the Kaabah and by the blessings of Allah has also become a dangerous habit because swearing by other than Allah is a form of Shirk. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If anybody has to take an oath, he should swear only by Allah.” Sahih al-Bukhari 3836

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best of people are those of my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them, after which there will come a people whose testimonies will precede their oaths and whose oaths will precede their testimonies.“

 

(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

 

“Concise Commentary on Book of Tawheed” mentioned regarding this hadith that ”In this hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declares that the most righteous generations in the Muslim nation are the first three ones, He further indicates that after these generations, there would be people who would show leniency with regard to giving testimonies and taking oaths out of their weak faith and their little fear of Allah. In comment of this hadith, Ibrahim An-Nakh’I (one of the Faqihs of the Successors of the Companions )related that the Tabi’un used to teach their children how to think highly of testimony and oaths so that they would grow up holding this notion and thus beware of making little of them.”

 

What are we teaching our future generation? How is it that our children will be growing up accustomed to swearing because their parents have made it a normal part of their conversation. When will be learn and teach others to magnify Allah’s name.

 

Unfortunately, even those who we look up to and seek knowledge from, such as our scholars, have felt the need to constantly swear by Allah in their religious talks, whereas, there is no need to do so.

 

May Allah make us of those who will realize the greatness of Allah’s name and be among those who only speak the truth.