Author: Rahmatullah Rahmani
Fulfilling The Promise (Part One)
Abstract:
In linguistic terms, a promise (ahd) signifies maintaining and continuously observing something, recognizing an issue, and preserving, making a covenant, or an oath. It also refers to time and era. A pact (payman) similarly denotes a condition, an agreement, a contract, or a commitment made between two parties that is expected to be honored. Fulfilling a promise means upholding and maintaining commitments, as well as demonstrating steadfastness in friendships.
From the perspective of the Holy Qur’an, fulfilling promises and adhering to agreements is a
fundamental criterion for evaluating human character. This principle is a cornerstone of social life; without it, cooperation and social cohesion become impossible. The foundation of collective life is built on mutual trust and cooperation, which can only function effectively when individuals remain committed to their promises and obligations. Those who honor their commitments are typically pious individuals who exhibit sincerity in fulfilling their religious duties. Both the Qur’an and the noble hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasize the importance of fulfilling promises. The Holy Qur’an states that human beings are accountable for their pledges, and loyalty to agreements is one of the defining qualities of true believers.
Introduction:
The Almighty Allah, who has created us, has bestowed upon us some of His noble attributes. Among these, fulfilling promises is one of the most beautiful and valuable virtues. In our religious culture, commitment to promises and agreements holds a lofty status and is regarded as a key manifestation of human responsibility. This characteristic is important both on an individual and societal level, directly linked to human perfection and morality. The more a person advances in their humanity, the more faithful they become to their promises. Conversely, a lack of adherence to commitments weakens the foundations of faith.
Due to its social significance, fulfilling promises plays a crucial role in strengthening relationships and stabilizing society. The most vital asset of a community is the mutual trust among its members. It is this very trust that transforms a scattered group of individuals into a well-organized and unified society, binding people together like the links of a chain. Promises and agreements serve as reinforcements for this unity and trust. However, when these promises are repeatedly broken, public trust—an invaluable social asset—collapses, and a seemingly united community disintegrates into weak and disconnected individuals. This is precisely why the Qur’an and the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) place great emphasis on fulfilling promises and remaining steadfast in one’s oaths, while breaking them is considered a major sin.
The Importance of Fulfilling Promises:
Respecting commitments and the necessity of honoring them is an innate principle that every human being learns from their first moral school—the natural human disposition (fitrah). Children, in the early stages of life, instinctively understand the importance of keeping promises and express disapproval toward untrustworthy commitments made by some parents. This understanding remains intact unless external influences divert them from their innate nature or misleading factors disrupt their thoughts. Because of this inherent nature, breaking promises is considered a major moral vice in Islamic society.
It can be argued that the most crucial wealth of a community is the mutual trust among its members. It is precisely this trust that organizes a dispersed group of people into a unified system, connecting individuals like links in a chain and enabling collective efforts and cooperation. If promises and agreements are upheld within a society, they ensure security and stability, making many precautionary measures against betrayal unnecessary.
A key difference between an Islamic society and other societies lies in their motivations for maintaining commitments. In non-Islamic societies, the primary concern is often short-term material interests. As long as a promise benefits them, they make every effort to uphold it; but the moment it becomes inconvenient, they find excuses to abandon it. However, an Islamic society seeks to promote spirituality, revive human values, and foster love and kindness. This is why the Qur’an and hadiths emphasize this issue so frequently.
Continues…
[1] – Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, part 38, p. 390, continuation of Musnad al-Ansar…, Hadith of Hudhayfa Al-Iman…, hadith number: 23372, Dar al-Rasalah al-Alamiya.
[2] – World Peace Islam, p. 264
