Oaths & Vows

Making intention of sending someone for umrah if medical reports are clear

Q: Few months back my father's prostate report came abnormal. I made niyat to Allah Ta'ala that I will send someone for umrah and will stop watching TV and movies if his next report comes normal. Then I thought that sending someone for umrah is a good act and stop watching Tv and movies is a bad act, so I made niyat of it irrespective of the result of his next report.

My question is, is my oath a formal oath? Because I made niyat like this "I am making this niyat that I will send someone for umrah and stop watching Tv and movies from now.

According to what I have learnt, an oath or niyat should be taken with the name of Allah like "in the name of Allah" or "wallahi" or similar to this? I am 99 percent sure that while making the niyat I have not taken the name of Allah.

Note: Alhamdulillah with the blessing of Allah I sent one person for umrah but I am unable to avoid TV and movies, i just want to make some changes in it.

Changing one's intention of staying away from sins

Q: I made a niyat a few months ago and now I want to make some changes to it because it is getting difficult to stick to the niyat. I made a niyat like this that "I am making niyat that I will stop committing this sin from today"

My question is, while making niyat I did not take Allah Ta'ala's name, I just said that I am making this niyat and is it still necessary for me to stick to this niyat? I want to stay on this but I just want to make some changes in it.

Giving kaffarah before breaking an oath

Q: A few years ago I made a promise that I would not have a certain food and drink until I got married but a few months ago I felt that Allah does not need me to stop eating and drinkig for a fulfilment of a need but rather I should do dua and other optional deeds. So I first gave money towards the poor (kaffara) and re-started eating what I had stopped but I am not sure if I should have done this. If not, please let me know what I should do now?

Changing one's oath

Q: I have made a niyat to Allah Ta'ala and now I am unable to stick to it. I want to make some changes in that niyat. Is it possible to do so? I have heard that Sahaabah (Companions of Nabi Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) sometime in their lives broke kasams or niyat and paid kafaraah. May Allah Ta'ala forgive me if I am wrong, let me know if there is any way so tht I can change my niyat and make things easy for me.

Breaking an oath

Q: I want to enquire whether all oaths made to Allah will constitute kaffaarah, example, if a person promises verbally to Allah to never miss a salaah, if a salaah is missed, should a person give kaffaarah?

Fear of breaking an oath

Q: Someone lost money and I found it. They said that I should keep it. I said "wallahi I'm not gonna take it"Their intention was to keep it as a gift. After I gave it to them they gave it to me to put in the sadaqah tin. Because I took it in my hand do I have to give kafaraah? My intention when I said "wallahi I wont take it" I meant as a gift. 

Making a promise to fast if one's wish is fulfilled

Q: I had promised Allah Ta'ala that if He blesses my sister with a child when she was unable to conceive, I will keep 7 fasts for Him.

I even promised Allah Ta'ala to fast for two more reasons which He accepted and fullfilled.

I owe a total of 9 fasts for many years. I am trying but I am unable to do fast. Is there anything which I can do easily instead of keeping 9 fasts? I don't want to upset my Allah Ta'ala as He has done so much for me.