Is it permissible to make a vow to perform an act of obedience with the aim of committing to it?

There has been disagreement regarding the ruling on vows (nadhr), and the fatwa that is adopted is what Al-Shanqeeti preferred, which is that a disliked vow is one that is conditional, such as saying: "If Allah cures my patient, then I owe such and such a vow." As for a vow made initially without a condition, it is permissible and there is no harm in it.

Al-Shanqeeti explained that a vow of devotion (nadhr al-qurbah) is of two types: 1. Conditional upon the attainment of benefit: This is the forbidden type, because the vow in it was not made purely as an act of devotion to Allah, but rather conditional upon the vow-maker receiving a benefit. The Ahadith indicate that destiny is predominant and that it does not avert anything from destiny. 2. Purely for the sake of Allah without a condition: This is the type that has been encouraged, and those who fulfill it have been praised, which indicates that it is among the good deeds.

This detailed explanation is the closest to the truth, as it combines the evidences and removes any contradiction between them. The fact that a vow does not avert anything from destiny is a clear indication that the vow-maker intended to bring about an immediate benefit or avert an immediate harm. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, clarified that Allah's decree is inevitable and that a vow does not avert what Allah has written, but it extracts from the stingy person what he vowed.

Therefore, initiating a vow to motivate oneself to obey, without it being conditional, carries no harm.