The ruling on a promise made with the Holy Qur’an in one’s lap

Question

Question: I am reading the Qur’an with the Qur’an in my lap, and I make some promise to someone that I will do such-and-such a thing, and I am aware that I am making the promise while reading the Qur’an. Is it proper or not if I later tell him that I was unable to do that thing?

Answer

Making a promise while holding the Holy Qur’an in one’s lap for reading does not constitute an oath. Even a promise made with an empty lap should also be striven to be fulfilled; if some valid excuse (‘udhr) arises, that is another matter. To intend, at the time of promising, that one will not fulfil it is a sign of hypocrisy (nifaq).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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