One cannot attain the Pleasure of Allah by means of self-invented methods

Ibn `Abbas (Radiallahu Anhu) reported:

While Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) was delivering Khutbah, he noticed a man who was standing, so he asked about him and was told that he was Abu Israel who had taken a vow to remain standing and not sit, or go into the shade, or speak while observing fasting. Thereupon Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) said, “Tell him to speak, to go into the shade, to sit and to complete his fast”.

[Riyad-us-Saliheen, The Book of Miscellany, Chapter 14 Moderation in Worship, Hadith Number 152]

1. This Hadith makes it abundantly clear that one cannot attain the Pleasure of Allah by means of self-invented methods. It can only be achieved by ways and means prescribed in the Quran and Sunnah.
2. One should never vow for anything which is smeared with sin or which is not permitted by Deen. An instance of this is quoted in the above mentioned Hadith.
3. The majority of ‘Ulama’ (scholars) who do not think the expiation of such vows necessary, quote this Hadith in support of their view. They argue that Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) has not prescribed expiation in such cases as is evident from this Hadith.