The Ruling on Delaying the Fulfillment of a Vow

Question :

What is the ruling on one who delays the implementa- tion of what he vowed, after the fulfillment of the condition upon which the vow was dependent? Such as one who says: "I vow to Allah to fast for five days if I was cured of my illness," and then he was cured, but he delayed fasting those days, bearing in mind that he did not specify when he would fast? Must he fast the five days consecutively? And is he required to atone for his delay in fulfilling the vow, even though he did not intend to repudiate that vow?

Answer:

It is an obligation to fulfill a vow to do an act of obedience, such as fasting, charity, I'tikaf, Hajj or reciting the Qur'an. If the vow was dependent upon a condition, like being cured of an illness or arriving from a journey, then he must hasten to fulfill it. If he delays it then fulfills it, there is no sin upon him in delaying it. If he died and he did not fulfill it, his heirs must fulfill it after him, but haste and promptness are obligatory, so that the Muslim fulfills his responsibilities.

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