224. " and do not make allah, because of your swearing (by him), an
obstacle to your doing good and guarding (against evil) and making peace
among people; and allah is all-hearing, all-knowing."

occasion of revelation:
in many commentary books of the qur'an including majma`-ul-
bayan and ruh-ul-bayan, the occasion of revelation of this verse shortly
is narrated thus:

there appeared a dispute between the bridegroom and the
daughter of one of the companions of the prophet (p.b.u.h.) by the
name of abdullah-ibn-rawaheh. he had sworn not to interfere in their
affairs and not to make peace between them. the revelation was sent
down and prohibited such oaths.

commentary:
the arabic term / 'ayman/ is the plural form of /yamin/ in the
sense of `oath'; and the word: / `urdah/ means: ` liable to, object, or
impediment ', according to different renderings.

the following messages and points can be taken from the above
verse:

1- do not appeal to swearing as a barrier for doing good:

" and do not make allah, because of your swearing (by him), an obstacle
to your doing good..."

2- use no oath as a means for adjusting your escape from your
own responsibility; and do not miss good and benevolent actions and,
consequently, their rewards thereby.

"...and guarding (against evil) and making peace among people; ..."

3- do not misuse allah and his holy name in any occasion. this
manner is a kind of boldness and impoliteness.

it is narrated from imam sadiq (a.s.) who has said:

" take no oath by allah whether you are right or wrong ..." 1

4- high values and benevolence should not be abandoned.

5- beware that allah hears all statements and he also knows
even what have not been uttered, (but they have been thought of).
then take into account every word and thought of yours.

"... and allah is all-hearing, all-knowing."

6. distributing goodness and benevolence amongst people under
the light of piety and virtue, are valuable. hence, these actions should
not be abandoned with the pretext of swearing by his holy name. and,
basically, being mindful of the value of these good things, such oaths
ought not to be taken.


1 majma`-ul-bayan, vol. 2, p. 322