I am suscribe to a daily Qur’an and Hadith email. I found the following interesting regarding aoth:
Audhu billahi minash shaitaan ir rajeem
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
Al-Maidah (The Table spread with Food) - Surat 5: Ayah # 89
Allah will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He
will punish you for your deliberate oaths; for its expiation (a deliberate
oath) feed ten Masakin (poor persons), on a scale of the average of that
with which you feed your own families, or clothe them or manumit a slave.
But whosoever cannot afford (that), then he should fast for three days. That
is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn[1]. And protect your
oaths (i.e. do not swear much)[2]. Thus Allah make clear to you His Ayat
(proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) that you may
be grateful.
[1] Note:-
Narrated by Abu Huraira(Radiallaho Anho)
The Prophet(PBUH) said, “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) in the world,
but (will be) foremost on the Day of Resurrection.” Allah’s Messenger(PBUH)
also said, “By Allah, if anyone of you insists on fulfilling an oath by
which he may harm his family, he commits a greater sin in Allah’s
consideration than that of dissolving his oath and making its expiation with
that which Allah has commanded.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol:8 - Hadeeth # 621)
[2] Note:-
It is better not to take oaths, but if you have taken it, and later you find
a better solution for the problem, then act according to the better one and
give expiation for the oath.
[This message has been edited by K-2 (edited July 26, 2001).]