Vows for other than Allah

Q 3: What is the ruling on making a vow to other than Allah?

A: Making vows to other than Allah is Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) because it involves glorification of those to whom vows are made and is an attempt to draw closer to them through that. Discharging such a vow is devoting to them an act of ‘Ibadah (worship), if the thing vowed is an act of obedience, because ‘Ibadah should be wholly devoted to Allah Alone, on the authority of many pieces of Qur’anic evidence, including Allah’s Saying (which means): And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) but We revealed to him (saying): Lâ ilâha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allâh)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)." Accordingly, dedicating worship to other than Allah is Shirk.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.