Can a father simply cancel his child’s religious vow? The answer is often surprising — it depends on property, harm, and what the scholars say.
Regarding a child’s religious vow made without the father’s permission, it should generally be said that, from a religious point of view, a child’s vow or pledge—even if made without the father’s permission—is valid and must be carried out.
In some cases, a child’s vow made without the father’s permission is void. The following are among those cases:
If a child makes a vow involving the father’s property—such as vowing to sell the father’s car and donate the money to the poor—this vow is void.
If the father has expressly forbidden the child from making the vow, the child’s vow is void.
If the child’s vow would cause harm to the father, that vow is void.
In other cases, a child’s vow without the father’s permission is valid and must be fulfilled.
Supreme Leader: Permission from anyone is not required for a vow, and the father’s prohibition does not invalidate the vow.
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: A child’s vow does not require the father’s permission, unless the child’s act causes harm to the father; in that case, the vow is not valid.
Ayatollah Sistani: The father’s opposition does not nullify the vow; however, if this parental opposition stems from compassion and kindness toward the child’s condition, then it is forbidden for the child to act contrary to their wishes.
