Question
Is the word promise regarded as a vow? Example – I promise that I will do… Is this a vow?
Answer
A promise is simply a statement made by someone that he will do something in the future. There is no expiation due for breaking it, although it is sinful to make a promise with the intention of breaking it.
And a vow in Shari’ah is when a person makes obligatory upon him an act of worship which was not obligatory upon him. Thus there is a difference between a vow and a promise.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
والوعد في الاصطلاح : الإ خبار بإيصال الخير في المستقبل
والنذر اصطلاحا : إلزام مكلف مختار نفسه لله تعالى بالقول شيئا غير لازم عليه بأصل الشرع
(الموسوعة الفقهية الكويتية)