Fatwa No : 28241
Giving its cash value for the sake of Allah, instead of the actually thing upon which the oath was made

Giving its cash value for the sake of Allah, instead of the actually thing upon which the oath was made

We have two houses which we purchased 10 years ago. When we purchased them, we intended to give one of them in charity for the sake of Allah. Now both of them are on rent. We want to give the big one for the sake of Allah but currently, these houses are our only source of income since I am unemployed. Is it possible for us to give the value of the house in cash instead of giving the house? It would be difficult for us to purchase another one for the purpose of renting it out, but if we give the value of the house in cash for the sake of Allah, we can still rent it out as a source of income. Will this be allowed in Islam or do we have to give the house in charity?

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

If the questioner had not made an oath of giving the aforementioned house in charity for the sake of Allah, instead, he had only intended to do such, then it would not be incumbent upon him to give the house in charity, neither would he have to give its value in cash. However, if the questioner willingly wants to give the aforementioned house, or any other property or amount of cash in charity for the sake of Allah, then we may do so if it pleases him.
And Allah knows best.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

فی الدر: ومن نذر نذرًا مطلقا او معلقًا بشرط ووجد الشرط المعلق لزم الناذر لحدیث ’’من نذر وسمی فعلیہ الوفاء بما سمی‘‘. (ج:۳ ص: ۷۳۵) واللہ اعلم بالصواب