(224) “Do not make your oaths by Allah an obstacle to acting righteously, fearing Him, and reconciling people. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

The purpose of an oath or sworn declaration is to magnify the One by whom it is sworn and to affirm the matter sworn to. Allah Most High had commanded that oaths be kept, which would imply keeping them in every circumstance. Allah Most High, however, made an exception when fulfilling an oath entails abandoning something more beloved to Him. He therefore forbade His servants to make their oaths an obstacle—that is, a barrier preventing them from acting righteously: namely,(1) doing good, avoiding evil, or reconciling people.

Thus, whoever swears to refrain from an obligatory act must break the oath, and it is forbidden for him to persist in it. Whoever swears to refrain from a recommended act is recommended to break the oath. Whoever swears to commit a prohibited act must break the oath, and whoever swears to commit a disliked act is recommended to break it. As for an oath concerning something permissible, it should be kept and not broken.

This verse is cited as evidence for the well-known principle: “When beneficial interests conflict, the more important one is given precedence.” Here, fulfilling an oath is a benefit, but obeying Allah’s commands in these matters is a greater benefit, so it is given precedence.

He then concluded the verse with these two noble names, saying, “Allah is All-Hearing,” meaning that He hears every sound, and “All-Knowing” of aims ⦗101⦘ and intentions. This includes His hearing the words of those who swear oaths and His knowledge of their purposes, whether good or evil. Implicit in this is a warning that He will requite you, for your deeds and intentions are fully known to Him.