He Swore Not to do Something, But He Fears That He Might do it

Question :

A person swore not to do a certain thing, and that if he did it, he would fast for two consecutive months. Now he fears that he might do this thing. What is the ruling?

Answer:

This man wishes to prevent himself from doing a certain thing, and so he swore that if he did it he would fast for two consecutive months. His intention by this was to remember a powerful reason to prevent himself from doing it, which was to fast for two consecutive months. Cases such as this fall into the category of a vow. What is intended by a vow is to encourage or prevent, or to confirm the truth of something or belie it. The ruling for a vow, according to the scholars, is the same as that for an oath. Based upon this, we say to this man: If you did this, it is incumbent upon you to make the atonement for an unfulfilled oath, which is to feed ten poor persons, or clothe them, or to free a slave. And if you are unable to do these things, you must fast for three days.

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