Swearing and making the wife unlawful if someone dear does not eat at his house

Q 3: I swore that my wife would become unlawful to me, unless a person dear to me (Part No. 23; Page No. 183) visits me so that I may host him. The man promised to visit me, but he has not done so yet. Actually, I did not intend the literal meaning by swearing that my wife will be unlawful to me, rather I only intended to stress my request. What do you advise me to do in this regard? May Allah reward you.

A: If it is true that you only intended by swearing to exhort such a person to accept your request, and not to divorce your wife, it is considered an oath entailing a Kaffarah (expiation) for having been broken. In other words, if such a person refuses your request to host him, you will be liable for the Kaffarah of breaking the oath. This is either done by feeding ten needy persons, each receiving one kilo and half of wheat, barley, or the staple local food, or clothing them, or freeing a Muslim bondsman. If such options are not affordable, you would have to fast for three days. However, we advise you not to swear excessively so that you do not commit yourself to things beyond your capacity and thus fall into sin and difficulty.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.