Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Azinah narrates from his father that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When you take an oath, then see something better than it, then come to what is better and offer the expiation for your oath.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) would not break any oath before the revelation of the expiation for oaths. When the command regarding the expiation for oaths was revealed, he used to say that whenever I take an oath, I do what is better; if breaking the oath is better, then I break the oath and give the expiation.

Hazrat Qasim narrates that whenever Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq took an oath, he would not break it until the verse of the Holy Qur'an was revealed, { لَا یُؤَاخِذُکُمُ اللّٰہُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِیْ اَیْمَانِکُمْ } Then, when he took an oath and saw something better than it, he would do that better thing and offer expiation for his oath.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin narrates that the Companions used to say: Whoever takes an oath and sees goodness in something other than what he swore upon, he should abandon his oath and do that which is better, and he should offer expiation for his oath.

Hazrat Ibn Jurayj says that I asked Hazrat Ata: If I swear an oath to do something, but then I see something better than that, should I leave the oath and offer its expiation? He replied: Yes.

Hazrat Qabeesah bin Jabir narrates that I heard Hazrat Umar say: If a person swears an oath and then sees goodness in something else, he should do that (good) thing and offer expiation for his oath.

Hazrat Asim bin Munzir narrates that I asked Hazrat Ubaid bin Umair: A person has made a vow that he will not enter his maternal aunt’s house. He replied: He should enter and pay the expiation for an oath.

Hazrat Masruq narrates that camel meat was brought to Hazrat Abdullah while I was with him. A person from the people separated himself. Hazrat Abdullah said to him: Come closer. That person said: I have sworn an oath that I will not eat camel meat (the meat from the udder side). He (Hazrat Abdullah) said: Come closer and eat.

Hazrat Nafi' narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) used to pay the expiation even before breaking the oath.

Hazrat Ibn Aun states that Hazrat Muslamah bin Makhlad and Hazrat Salman considered it permissible to pay the expiation even before intercourse.