You Won’t Believe What Islam Says About Swearing by Saints and Prophets

Monday, August 25, 2025

Swearing by anyone other than God isn’t just a habit — Islamic teachings call it forbidden. Here’s the clear ruling and what to do next.

You Won’t Believe What Islam Says About Swearing by Saints and Prophets

Swearing by anyone other than God is forbidden in Islam. This prohibition covers taking an oath by any being or thing other than God — including imams, prophets, saints, ancestors, oneself, or anything else.

Religious ruling on swearing in Islam

The Prophet of Islam said: “Beware — God has forbidden you from swearing by your fathers. Whoever wants to swear should swear by God or remain silent.”

Why swearing by others is forbidden:

Reason	Explanation
Associating others with God (shirk)	Swearing by another being is considered a form of shirk because it places someone or something in a position reserved for God.
Diminishing the greatness of God	Using others as the object of an oath reduces the exclusive dignity and status of God.
Disrespect to sacred figures	Swearing by prophets or imams can be seen as a form of disrespect toward their high status.

Consequences of swearing by others:

Consequence	Explanation
A major sin (guilt)	The act is counted among major sins and brings serious spiritual consequences in this world and the hereafter.
Oath is invalid	Even if a person acts according to an oath sworn by someone other than God, that oath is considered void.

Solution:

Step	What to do
Repentance and seeking forgiveness	The person who swore by someone other than God should repent to God and ask for His pardon.
Avoid repeating	One must refrain from repeating this improper practice and should make a habit of swearing only by God.

Important note:

Some people may swear by others out of habit or ignorance of the ruling. With proper awareness of the religious ruling, they should stop this practice and turn to God.

What is the ruling on swearing by saints and prophets?

Swearing by saints, prophets, or other people is forbidden in Islam; the correct course is repentance and avoiding repetition once one learns the ruling.

Practical Tips

Tip
Repent promptly	“The person who swore by someone other than God should repent to God and ask for His pardon.”
Stop the habit	“One must refrain from repeating this improper practice…”
Swear only by God or remain silent	“Whoever wants to swear should swear by God or remain silent.”
Learn the ruling if unsure	“Some people may... out of habit or ignorance… with proper awareness… they should stop.”

Labels: Islam Religion

# Religion