The Undesirability of Swearing

“I once heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ’Do not swear by Allah, regardless, you are truthful or not truthful; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “Do not swear by Allah unnecessarily.’” (2:224)”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘One who delays in swearing by Allah, He grants him better than what he has lost because of the delay.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the disciples gathered around Jesus (a.s.), and said, ‘O teacher of good, give us advice.’ He said to them, ‘Musa, the Prophet of Allah has commanded you not to swear by Allah falsely, but I command you not to swear by Allah, regardless, you are truthful or false.’”

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying to Sadir, ‘O Sadir, one who swears by Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, falsely as well as one who swears by Allah truthfully has sinned; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, ‘Do not swear by Allah, unless you are obligated.’ (2:224)”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), once spoke to me about his father (a.s.). He (the Imam) was with a woman of al-Khawarij, I (the narrator) think he said, ‘banu Hanifah.’ His mawla (friend or servant) said to him (the Imam), ‘O child of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, you have a woman who denounces your grandfather.’ (Abu Ja’far (a.s.), said) ‘My father divorced her. She presented a claim for her mahr (dower) against him (the Imam) and brought him (the Imam) before the Amir (governor) of al-Madinah who asked him (the Imam), “O Ali, you must take an oath or pay her right.” He (the Imam) asked me to go and bring four hundred dinars. I then asked, “Father, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, were you not the rightful party?” He (the Imam) replied, “Yes, son but I because of the Glory of Allah did not want to swear by Allah which is made binding upon me.’””

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If someone brings a claim against you for a certain amount of assets which you do not owe to him, and he wants to make you to take an oath, if it is less than thirty dirham, you must pay and must not take an oath, but if it is more than that you can take an oath and do not give the asset.’”