He Forbade Something to Himself and Now He Wants to do it

Question :

I have a brother who is older than I. In the year 1967 C. E. I was unable to provide the necessary food, and whenever my brother provided a meal, he would scold me and this offended me. Because of this, I declared tea to be forbidden to me just as my mother is forbidden to me. From 1967 C. E. until now, I have not drunk it. I request from you, honorable Shaykhs, that you explain to me regarding this prohibition, is it permissible for me to drink tea, or not?

Answer:

It is not permissible to declare something forbidden if Allah has made permissible. This is because declaring things permissible or forbidden is for Allah, Alone. By declaring this forbidden to yourself, you have transgressed against Allah's Right and placed (unnecessary) constraints upon yourself. So turn in repentance to Allah and seek forgiveness from Him for having declared something forbidden, and you must make the atonement for an unfulfilled oath if you drank tea. Allah, Most High says:

"O Prophet! Why do you forbid (for yourself) that which Allah has allowed to you, secking to please your wives? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Allah has already ordained for you (O men) the absolution from your oaths. And Allah is your Maula (Lord, or Master, or Protector) and He is the All-Knower, the All-Wise."

He also says:
"O you who believe! Make not unlawful the Tayyibat (all that is good as regards foods, things, deeds, beliefs, persons) which Allah has made lawful to you, and transgress not. Verily, Allah does not like the transgressors. And eat of the things which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good, and fear Allah in Whom you believe. Allah will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will punish you for your deliberate oaths; for its expiation (a deliberate oath) feed ten Masäkin (poor persons), on a scale of the average of that with which you feed your own families, or clothe them or manumit a slave. But whosoever cannot afford (that), then he should fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn. And protect your oaths (i.e., do not swear much). Thus Allah makes clear to you. His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) that you may be grateful."

So it is enough for you to feed ten poor persons with five Sa's of wheat, dates, rice or the like, giving each of the ten poor persons half a Sa'. And if you are unable to do this, then fast for three days.

And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 6 Pages 375-376-377