Mannat or Nazr

Mannat or Nazr or vow which people would make when they want to acquire something, must be done solely in the name of Allah Ta'ala. This is because Mannat is an Ibaadah and it is not permissible to perform an Ibaadah for someone else besides Allah Ta'ala.

How to make a Mannat?

A person who is in a certain problem or one who wants to succeed in a certain work, says: "O Allah! If I am saved from this difficulty or if I succeed in my work, I will observe two Roza (fasts)." or he says "I will feed 10 people or I will give Rs.1000 in charity." When the person succeeds, then he must fulfil what he promised to Allah Ta'ala.

It is allowed to make Nazr but it is not recommended because it gives the impression of blackmailing Allah Ta'ala. And one must not believe that Nazr has any power to make one succeed in one's goal. No one can force Allah Ta'ala. It is very serious to believe that Allah Ta'ala is forced to do what one wants when one does mannat. That is why Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Do not make Nazr because Nazr does not avert anything in destiny. It is only a means to extract from someone who is miser." (Bukhari)

A promise on behalf of someone other than Allah Ta'ala

It is Haraam to make a promise on behalf of someone other than Allah Ta'ala. It is like associating someone with Allah Ta'ala. According to the books of Fiqh such as Durr-ul-Mukhtaar and Radd-ul-Muhtaar, it is forbidden to promise to send oil which is used for the purpose of light on the Mazar (tomb) of a certain Waliyullah. Based on this Mas'ala, it appears that making Mannat to offer a sheet to be put on the Mazar of someone is Haraam.

Making Mannat in the name of a ‘Peer’

It is Haraam to make a Mannat in the name of a certain Buzrug, Sheikh or a certain Waliyullah. Furthermore, one must not believe that a Waliyullah has the capacity to do something from his Qabr. It is explicitly mentioned in the books of Fiqh such as Al-Bahr-ur-Raa'iq, Durrul-Mukhtaar and Raddul-Muhtaar that having such a conception is Kufr.

[English version of "Manaat ou bien nazar" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.10]