Swearing by Other than Allah

Swearing by Other than Allah

Understand, O fellow Muslim!

The realization of Tawhid, the oneness of Allah, is only complete when one refrains from any form of association, be it subtle or overt. This includes even the words spoken, avoiding meanings that are not permissible.

One such example is swearing by other than Allah, the Most Exalted. Swearing, in essence, is the confirmation of a pledge or statement by mentioning a revered entity between the two parties—the swearer and the one sworn to. None, however, is more revered than Allah, as the Almighty said:

[البقرة: 22] (فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّهِ أَنْدَادًا وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ)

[So do not knowingly set up equals to Allah ˹in worship˺.] 1:22.

Ibn Abbas explained this as saying, "By Allah, and by your life, O so-and-so, and by my life." This form of swearing by the life of a creation is considered a form of setting up rivals with Allah.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Whoever swears by other than Allah has indeed committed an act of disbelief or polytheism."[1]

Buraydah (RA) reported in a Hadith that is directly linked to the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he said, "He who swears by Amanah (trust) is not one of us."[2]

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, encountered Umar ibn al-Khattab while he was traveling in a caravan swearing by his father. The Prophet said, "Behold, Allah prohibits you from swearing by your fathers. Whoever wishes to swear, let him swear by Allah or remain silent."

In a narration, it is mentioned that Umar said, “When I heard this statement from you, (Prophet Muhammad), I have not taken an oath, neither intentionally nor by quoting someone else”

Ibn Abdul Barr, may Allah have mercy on him, from the scholars of the Maliki school, stated, "Swearing by other than Allah is unanimously forbidden."

Ibn Mas'ud said, "I would rather swear falsely by Allah than swear truthfully by someone else."

The reason for this is that swearing by Allah is an affirmation of His Oneness, even if false. Swearing by others is an act of associating partners with Allah, even if truthful.

So, the virtue of Tawhid outweighs the virtue of truthfulness, and the sin of lying is easier than the sin of Shirk.

In the narration of Ibn Mas'ud, there is evidence that minor Shirk can be greater than major sins.

The oath of Allah Almighty, taken through the famous Arabic letters. This includes: Waw (و), Ba' (ب), and Ta' (ت), as in expressions like "Wallah," "Billah," and "Tallahi."

If the oath of other than Allah is of the kind where there is no intention of reverence but rather it has become a common expression due to frequent use, like swearing by one's arm, honor, mustache, then this type of oath falls under the category of minor shirk.

And when an oath is coupled with reverence for the one sworn by, as the worshippers of graves do when you demand an oath from them by Allah, they will accept your request whether truthfully or deceitfully. Yet, if you ask them to swear by a sheikh, or his grave, or his life, they would refrain from swearing if they were lying. This is indeed a major and evident form of Shirk, as the one sworn by holds more fear, reverence, and significance to them than Allah.

This is also included in the category of oaths by someone other than Allah, such as swearing by the Prophet, for example, saying, "I swear by the Prophet that I did not do this." The same applies to swearing by the life of the Prophet, like saying, "I swear by the life of the Prophet." All these forms of oaths are prohibited and impermissible; indeed, they constitute an act of polytheism. Similarly, swearing by someone's life, for instance, saying, "I swear by my life that I did not do this," or swearing by the honor and sanctity of one's mother, like saying, "I swear by the honor and sanctity of my mother." Likewise, swearing by the Kaaba, such as saying, "I swear by the Kaaba that such and such happened," is also subject to the same ruling. It is obligatory that if one must swear, they should say, "I swear by the Lord of the Kaaba."

Swearing by one's own head is also impermissible, such as saying, "I swear by my head that nothing like this happened." A monotheist must keep their conscience pure from every form and type of polytheism.

Thanks to Allah, the nineteenth lesson concludes successfully.