it is done in a way that would confine Allah’s will, it contradicts pure monotheism, for such presumption is a breach of proper etiquette toward the Almighty.
“What has been narrated about swearing an oath upon Allah” means: the evidences that establish the prohibition of the practice.
“Who is this…?”—a question of censure.
“Yataʾallā ʿalayya” (“who swears an oath upon Me”): al-ʾaliyya, with a doubled yāʾ, denotes an oath.
“Aḥbaṭtu ʿamalak” (“I have rendered your deeds void”): I have annulled them.
“Awbaqat” (“it destroyed”): it ruined.
Summary of the ḥadīth: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), by way of warning about the perils of the tongue, relates that a man swore Allah would never forgive a certain sinner. In effect, he presumed to pass judgment on Allah and to restrict His mercy, imagining that his own righteousness entitled him to special favor while the sinner merited contempt. Such self-importance before Allah and discourtesy toward Him doomed the man to misery and loss in both worlds.
Reason for citing the ḥadīth in this chapter: it demonstrates that swearing an oath upon Allah in a manner that seeks to limit Him and stems from self-admiration is forbidden, and that doing so diminishes one’s monotheism.
Lessons derived from the ḥadīth:
- It is forbidden to swear an oath upon Allah except when motivated by a good opinion of Him and hope for His bounty.
- Proper etiquette toward Allah is obligatory.
- The tongue is exceedingly dangerous; guarding it is mandatory.