The hashtag #nazarpemilu is being widely discussed by netizens on the Twitter platform, a number of accounts are posting their vows if their chosen candidate pair wins in the 2024 election contest. This phenomenon is considered quite unique because usually presidential candidates make promises during the campaign, but it is precisely these supporters who promised to provide goodness to society. It is not yet known who initiated this movement, but the contents of the vows promised by netizens are very diverse, ranging from self-development classes, donations in the form of basic necessities, to educational scholarships.
So, what is meant by vow itself? According to general understanding, Nazar in Islamic religion refers to a promise or oath taken by someone to do something either as an expression of gratitude or as a form of request to Allah. As long as the contents of the vows are things that refer to worship or things that bring goodness then it is permissible. Although there is a concept of nazar in Islamic culture and tradition, the term "nazar" is not clearly mentioned in the Al-Quran, but there are verses in the Al-Quran relating to promises or oaths to Allah. One example is in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:224): "Allah will not sue you for your unintentional oath, but He will sue you for your deliberate oath...".
So, what if we cannot fulfill the vows we have made? There is such a thing as Kaffarat or redemption that can be fulfilled when making a vow, in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 224 there are three ways to redeem a vow that has been made "... So the kaffarat (for breaking an oath) is to feed ten poor people, namely with food that you used to give to your family, or clothe them or free a slave. Whoever is unable to do this, then his kaffarat is to fast for three days. That is the kaffarat of your oath, if you swear. And keep your vows. Thus Allah explains to you His laws, so that you may be grateful."
From the verse above it can be concluded that there are three ways to redeem vows:
Feed or clothe ten poor people.
Freeing a slave.
Fast for three days.
Making a promise to Allah is not just words, but must be proven with real actions. Make sure you make vows according to your ability, and hopefully each of our promises will be a footprint that brings us closer to Him.