Vowing to slaughter an animal every year if her son survives the operation

Q: I am a married woman who has two sons. One of my sons became ill before he was three and had an operation. I made a vow to slaughter a sacrificial animal for him every year from that day, and I have slaughtered an animal every year since then. Four years ago, I supplicated to Allah to fulfill my hope to travel to Saudi Arabia. I made a vow that if this request was fulfilled that I would slaughter a sacrificial animal every year for my second son. Allah (Exalted be He) fulfilled my request and I have fulfilled my vow by slaughtering two animals every year for my sons. I only did this to fulfill my vows. My father died this year, and he used to support a large family, consisting of my mother, brothers, and sisters. We have all been affected by this, and my situation now does not permit me to slaughter the two animals, but I am really afraid of not being able to fulfill my vows. Please advise me as to what should I do now. Am I sinful for not fulfilling my vows?

A: It is obligatory on the questioner to slaughter two sacrificial animals every year for the Sake of Allah (Exalted be He), (Part No. 23; Page No. 314) as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Anyone who vows to obey Allah, should obey Him.” If she cannot fulfill her vows for some years, she will be indebted for this until she can fulfill them. This is because Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.