The Book of Oaths

His statement: “Oaths” is the plural of yamīn, meaning an oath or sworn statement.

Its definition is: affirming something by mentioning that which is held in veneration, in a particular form.

It is considered an affirmation because the one swearing is, in effect, saying: In proportion to the veneration I hold for that by which I swear, I affirm this matter to you.

By our saying, “in a particular form,” we mean that it is not accomplished by just any wording. For example, if you were to say, “Allah is Most Great; Zayd has arrived,” you have joined it with the mention of One held in veneration, but it is not in the form of an oath; therefore, it is not an oath.

Know that oaths are divided into five categories: they may be obligatory, recommended, disliked, prohibited, or permissible. The basic principle regarding them is that refraining from them is preferable.

The particles used for oaths are five, three of which are well known: wāw, bāʾ, and tāʾ. The primary one is bāʾ; for this reason, it may precede that by which one swears while accompanied by the verb of swearing, or by that which stands in its place, or independently. It may precede that by which one swears whether it is explicit or implicit, and it may likewise be used with all nouns.

For example, you may say: “I swear by Allah concerning such-and-such.” Here, it is mentioned along with the verb of swearing and precedes an explicit noun. You may also say: “By Allah, I shall certainly do such-and-such.” Here, it is mentioned with the verb of swearing omitted and precedes an explicit noun. And you may say: “I swear by Him—Allah, my Lord.” Here, it precedes an implicit noun while the verb of swearing is present.