Breaking an oath
Q: I work in the medical field. A few months ago from extreme pressure of my family they wanted me to quit my job. My mom said I was overweight and heavy and need to exercise. I told them I would exercise but they said it was not enough. They wanted me to quit my job even though I promised I would, they did not believe me. So, I made a mistake and swore on Allah (Ta'ala) that If I did not reach my goal of proper weight I will quit my job. It is now end of march and I have not reached my goal. I know it was wrong to swear and I should not have done that. I apologised to Allah (Ta'ala). But I cannot quit my job due to financial troubles. Can something be done about this? I was told by someone that breaking a promise means 60 days of fasting or feeding the poor? But someone else told me that is only if it was done by accident and not intentionally. I am getting different answers from many people. Please help.
A: Make taubah and do the kaffaarah for breaking an oath. The kaffarah for breaking an oath is that one feeds 10 poor people two meals or gives them the amount of sadaqatul fitr (i.e. each poor person should be given the amount of sadaqatul fitr) or clothes them with such clothing with which one is able to perform Salaah in it. If one is unable to fulfill this, then one should fast for three days consecutively with the intention of atoning for the broken oath.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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