By Allah, Allah Willing, if I ever take an oath and then see that another option is better than the first, I will make expiation for my oath and do what is better · Explained ḥadīths

عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: أَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي رَهْطٍ مِنَ الأَشْعَرِيِّينَ أَسْتَحْمِلُهُ، فَقَالَ: «وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَحْمِلُكُمْ، مَا عِنْدِي مَا أَحْمِلُكُمْ» ثُمَّ لَبِثْنَا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَأُتِيَ بِإِبِلٍ، فَأَمَرَ لَنَا بِثَلاَثَةِ ذَوْدٍ، فَلَمَّا انْطَلَقْنَا قَالَ بَعْضُنَا لِبَعْضٍ: لاَ يُبَارِكُ اللَّهُ لَنَا، أَتَيْنَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَسْتَحْمِلُهُ فَحَلَفَ أَنْ لاَ يَحْمِلَنَا فَحَمَلَنَا، فَقَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى: فَأَتَيْنَا النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَذَكَرْنَا ذَلِكَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ: «مَا أَنَا حَمَلْتُكُمْ، بَلِ اللَّهُ حَمَلَكُمْ، إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ -إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ- لا أَحْلِفُ عَلَى يَمِينٍ، فَأَرَى غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا، إِلَّا كَفَّرْتُ عَنْ يَمِينِي، وَأَتَيْتُ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ».

Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) along with a group of Ash‘ari people, asking him for mounts. He said: "By Allah, I will not give you anything to ride, and I have nothing to mount you on." We stayed there as long as Allah wished. Then some camels were brought to him, and he ordered that we be given three camels. When we set out, some of us said to others: "Allah will not bless us, as we all went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asking him for mounts, and although he had sworn that he would not give us mounts, he did give us." Abu Mūsa said: We went to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and mentioned that to him. He said: "I have not provided you with mounts, but Allah has. By Allah, Allah Willing, if I ever take an oath and then see that another option is better than the first, I will make expiation for my oath and do what is better."

Agreed uponGradeAuthentic

Explanation

Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that he went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) along with a group of people from his tribe. They aimed to ask the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to give them camels to ride so that they could take part in Jihad. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swore that he would not provide them with mounts and that he did not have any to give them. They went back and stayed for a period of time. Then, three camels were brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who sent them to them. They said to one another: Allah will not bless these camels for us, for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swore that he would not provide us with mounts. So, they went and asked him about this issue. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Allah Almighty is the One Who has provided you with mounts, for He has granted help and sustenance. I am only a means through which this has come to pass. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: By Allah, Allah Willing, I do not take an oath to do or abandon something and then see that another choice is better and preferable except that I choose to do what is better, aleave the thing upon which I swore, and make expiation for my oath.

Benefits

It is permissible to swear without being asked to, in order to affirm some information, even if it relates to the future.
It is permissible to make an exception by the phrase "Allah Willing" after taking an oath. If the exception is intended and associated with the oath, no expiation is due if the oath is broken.
A Muslim is encouraged to violate his oath if he sees a better choice and make an expiation for his oath.

Reference

صحيح البخاري (8/ 146) (6718). صحيح مسلم (3/ 1268) (1649). خلاصة الكلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص345). تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، للبسام (ص682).

This ḥadīth at HadeethEnc.com