a condiment, and then eats eggs, he has broken his oath, because eggs are eaten as a condiment: one dips bread into eggs and eats it. Even if he eats eggs that have not been boiled or fried, he has broken his oath, because they are used as a food accompaniment. This is the apparent meaning of the author’s words, for he said, “by eating eggs,” without stipulating that they be boiled or fried.

If he says, “By Allah, I will not eat a condiment,” and then eats dates, he has broken his oath, because dates are eaten as a condiment. Likewise, he breaks his oath by eating salt, because it is eaten as a condiment; and the same applies to vinegar, which is clear. It is stated in the hadith: “What an excellent condiment vinegar is.” (1)

The same applies to olives, whether small or large, for both are eaten as condiments.

“Or the like; and everything used as a food accompaniment. And if he swears not to wear anything, then wears a garment, a coat of mail, a cuirass, or sandals, he has broken his oath, …”

His statement, “or the like”: al-Rawḍ (2) says, “Such as cheese and milk,” both of which are eaten as condiments.

The author then gives a general expression: “and everything used as a food accompaniment”—that is, everything eaten as a condiment, meaning that it is made into a food accompaniment. Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“And a tree issuing from Mount Sinai, producing oil and relish for those who eat.” [al-Mu’minun 23:20]

A condiment is called a sibgh (relish or accompaniment) because it colours the food. If you dip it into something black, it becomes black; if into something red, it becomes red; and so on. Thus, it colours the food eaten with it as a condiment.

Let us consider whether there are things other than these that are used as food accompaniments. Yes: such as oil, honey, dried curds, jam, pumpkin, and other things.