“If I Do Such-and-Such, I Am Outside the Umma”: an Oath and a Wedding

Question

Zayd and Bakr are paternal cousins; both have full sisters, and Zayd is older than Bakr. From time to time Zayd has also humiliated Bakr in certain matters, yet despite this Bakr tried to keep harmony between them. Then Zayd’s wife said, “How can harmony remain between you two — is there any way?” Zayd gave no answer, but Bakr replied, “The way to harmony is this: if we hear anything from you against us, we shall verify with you whether you said such a thing; and if you hear anything from us against you, verify it.

Answer

Bakr did not attend the wedding in opposition to Zayd. Therefore, on the basis of the conversation between Zayd and Bakr as reported, no expiation for an oath (kaffara) became due upon Bakr; he has not left the circle of iman, and neither renewal of iman nor renewal of marriage is required.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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