If, however, a man declares his wife unlawful to himself, that is deemed ẓihār; the specific expiation for ẓihār becomes obligatory, and the ordinary expiation for breaking an oath is not sufficient.

Another point that must be emphasized in this chapter is the ruling on swearing by a creed other than Islam—as when someone says, “He is a Jew” or “He is a Christian if he does such-and-such, or if he fails to do it.” Such expressions are abhorrent and strictly forbidden. In the two Ṣaḥīḥ collections the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever swears by a religion other than Islam, deliberately lying, will be exactly as he has said.” In a narration recorded by Imām Aḥmad he added, “Whoever says, ‘I am free of Islam,’ then if he is lying he will be as he said, and if he is truthful he will not return to Islam unharmed.”

We ask Allah for safety from evil speech, and we beseech Him to guide our words and our intentions, for He is ever near and responsive.