and that if this was the third and final pronouncement, the woman would become irrevocably separated and would not be lawful for her husband again until she had married another man.

I mention all this so that you will not take the matter lightly, for it is exceedingly serious. If anyone must swear, let him swear by Allah and say, “By Allah.”

Let me also offer you an important piece of advice: whenever you take an oath, add the phrase “if Allah wills,” even if the person you are addressing does not hear it. Say “if Allah wills” whether or not he hears you, for when you append this phrase Allah will facilitate the affair so that you can fulfill your oath, and if what you intended does not occur, no expiation is required of you. This is a tremendous benefit.

Suppose, for instance, you say to someone, “By Allah, you will not slaughter on my behalf,” and then you quietly add to yourself, “if Allah wills,” and he does go ahead and slaughter—nothing is binding on you; no expiation of an oath is due. Likewise, the reverse applies: if you declare, “By Allah, I will slaughter,” then silently add, “if Allah wills,” and your companion does not hear you, and in the end you do not slaughter, still no expiation is required. This is because the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Whoever swears an oath and then says, ‘if Allah wills,’ is not held to have broken it.”

This is an immense advantage, so keep it constantly on your tongue. Always attach the exception “if Allah wills” to your oaths, for it brings two benefits: the first is that your affairs will be made easy for you.