Question Summary:
If I am forced to take an oath against my will is it valid and if so, can I break that oath?

Question Detail:

I wanted to ask you a question concerning oaths:
1.) If someone is forced to take an oath against their will, is this oath valid?
2.) If this oath is valid, can we break this oath, and will Allah, who is Al-Ghaffar, forgive me for doing so, for this oath was taken under oppression and forced onto the person against his will.

Answer :

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In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

1.) When a person declares in one of the Names of Allah or one of His Attributes or on the Quran to do something or to leave something, then such a statement is considered a valid oath.
For example, a person says: “I swear by Allah to do such and such” or “I swear on the Quran to leave such and such.”
While both of the above are examples of valid and binding oaths, one should avoid taking oaths on the Quran as it is not appropriate to do so.
It is only appropriate to take an oath in one of the Names of Allah or one of His Attributes.
Even if one is forced into taking such an oath against his will, the oath will still be valid and binding.
However, if the one being forced to take an oath makes an ambiguous statement instead, while intending something else in order to save himself from oppression, the oath will then be according to what he intended and not according to the apparent statement he made.
If an oath is taken in someone else's name, then such an oath is not valid nor is any kaffārah (penalty) due. For example, a person says “I swear by my mother I will not do this”. This is not a valid oath.
Acting contrary to such a statement will not render a kaffārah (penalty). However, it is a major sin to take an oath in someone else's name and one should abstain from it at all times.

2.) Breaking a valid oath (as defined above) that one was forced to take will necessitate a kaffārah (penalty).
The kaffārah for breaking an oath is the feeding of ten needy persons twice a day for one day or providing them clothing. If one is not financially able to feed or clothe them then he must fast for 3 days in continuous succession instead. [i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v]
The mercy of Allah is vast and Insha-Allah he will forgive you. As believers we are never despondent of being forgiven by Him.
 
And Allāh knows best.
Ml. Sohail Bengali
Chicago, IL (USA)
Concurred by:
Muftī Abrar Mirza
Chicago, IL (USA)
Under the Supervision of Muftī Ebrahim Desai (South Africa)
آب كي مسائل أور أن كا حل، ٤/ ٢٨٣-٢٨٤ مكتبة لدهيانوي [i]
فتاوى عثماني، ٢/ ٤٩٥-٤٩٦ مكتبة معارف القران كراتشي  [ii]
 لا) يقسم ( بغير الله تعالى كالنبي والقرآن والكعبة ) قال الكمال : ولا يخفى أن) [iii]
 الحلف بالقرآن الآن متعارف فيكون يمينا وأما الحلف بكلام الله فيدور مع العرف
وقال العيني : وعندي أن المصحف يمين لا سيما في زماننا. وعند الثلاثة المصحف والقرآن وكلام الله يمين.
رد المحتار، كتاب الأيمان: ٥ /٤٨٤-٤٨٥ دار الكتب العلمية
 
ذكر عن إبراهيم النخعي رضي الله عنه أنه قال: اليمين على نية الحالف إن كان [iv]
 مظلوما، وإن كان ظالما فعلى نية المستحلف وبه أخذ أصحابنا رحمهم الله
الميحط البرهاني كتاب الأيمان والنذور، الفصل الثاني في ألفاظ اليمين وإنه أنواع: ٤/ ٢٠٨ دار الكتب العلمية
 
 وفي الواقعات إذا استحلف الرجل بالله ، وهو مظلوم فاليمين على ما نوى ، وإن [v]
كان ظالما فاليمين على نية من استحلفه وبه أخذ أبو حنيفة ومحمد
البحر الرائق شرح كنز الدقائق، كتاب الأيمان: ٤ /٥٤٩ دار الكتب العلمية