The general rule is that if a person makes a vow concerning something permissible—whether to do it or to refrain from it—he may choose between fulfilling his vow and offering the expiation for an oath.

The author’s statement, “If he vows to do something disliked, such as divorce or otherwise, it is recommended that he offer expiation and not do it,” means that divorce is, in principle, disliked. However, it may be recommended, obligatory, prohibited, or permissible; thus, all five legal rulings apply to it. Yet its basic ruling is that it is disliked. Therefore, if someone vows to divorce his wife, saying, “I owe Allah a vow that I will divorce this wife,” we say to him: It is better for you to offer the expiation for an oath and not divorce her.

His words, “or otherwise,” mean something other than divorce. For example, if he says, “I owe Allah a vow that I will eat onions,” and eating onions is disliked, we say: It is better that you do not eat them and instead offer expiation. If he says, “I owe Allah a vow that I will eat garlic,” the same applies.

The fourth type: a vow to commit a sin, such as drinking wine, fasting on a day of menstruation, or slaughtering; it is not permissible to fulfill it, and he must offer expiation.

The author’s statement, “The fourth type is a vow to commit a sin,” refers to someone who vows to disobey Allah, Mighty and Majestic. The author gives the following examples:

“Such as drinking wine”: if a person vows to drink wine—may Allah protect us—then this is a vow to commit a sin. If he comes intending to drink wine, we say to him: Fear Allah! This is forbidden. Whoever drinks wine in this world will not drink it in the Hereafter. (1) He says: But I made a vow. We say to him: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever vows to disobey Allah