Author: Rahmatullah Rahmani
Fulfilling The Promise (Part Four)
The foundation of worldly honor and eternal happiness lies in a person’s fulfillment of this covenant. If one remains true to it, they will be respected and prosperous in both this world and the hereafter. Undoubtedly, it is a form of mistrust in Allah (SWT) to think that you can fulfill His covenant while He brings harm upon you! You should never expect harm from Him after upholding His covenant. He Himself says: «اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِي أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ وَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ» Translation: “Remember the favor I have bestowed upon you [by reflecting on it and expressing the necessary gratitude], and fulfill My covenant (which includes faith, righteous deeds, and belief in the prophets who came after Moses), so that I may fulfill your covenant (which is the good reward and the highest paradise), and fear only Me (and no one else).” [1]
Indeed, when the noble Prophet, who invited people to Islam, received delegations from various tribes and took their pledges, he carefully selected teachings that were most suited to their spiritual and intellectual capacities from the vast and weighty teachings of Islam.
It is narrated from ʿAwf ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: “We were with the Prophet for about nine, eight, or seven (days). He said, ‘Will you not pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah?’ So, we stretched out our hands and said, ‘We pledge allegiance to you, O Messenger of Allah!’ He said, ‘Pledge allegiance that you will worship Allah alone, associate nothing with Him, perform the five obligatory daily prayers, and obey (Islam).’ Then, he said something quietly, and added, ‘And do not ask people for anything; rather, manage your affairs on your own.’”
ʿAwf ibn Mālik continued: “I saw some of those people later, and even if their whip fell from their hands, they would not ask anyone to hand it to them (but would pick it up themselves).”
Observe how meticulously they upheld their pledge and remained true to it. This was because each tribe was advised according to what they needed most. For example, rulers were advised against oppression, merchants were warned against deceit and fraud in goods and prices, and employees were cautioned against accepting bribes. Nevertheless, every Muslim is responsible for adhering to all religious obligations.
Today, in Islamic countries, groups have emerged that form special pacts and agreements that do not deserve such importance. They are like self-proclaimed doctors who prescribe counterfeit medicine, bringing nothing but further illness to their patients. It must be understood that Islamic teachings are entirely interconnected and inseparable, and adherence to all of them is obligatory at all times and in all places.
The Prophet took a pledge from the Ansar of Medina to dedicate themselves and their wealth to supporting his mission and safeguarding his message so that he could convey Islam to both Arabs and non-Arabs. The covenant the Ansar made with the Prophet and their unwavering commitment to it stands as one of the most remarkable pledges in the history of faith, an unparalleled example of devotion to Allah’s cause and sacrifice for the truth.
This pledge was made on one of the nights of the Hajj season, and upon their return, the people immediately implemented all its aspects and willingly accepted its consequences. They considered shedding their own blood for these ideals—especially in the Battle of Badr and other confrontations between Islam and polytheism—a small sacrifice. During times of hardship, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) relied on these firm pledges to uphold the faith and elevate Allah’s command.
During the first attack in the Battle of Hunayn, when the Muslims retreated, the Prophet disregarded the large number of people who had recently embraced Islam and instead called out to the steadfast ones who had pledged allegiance to him during the Hajj season at ʿAqabah, urging them to stand firm and change the tide of the battle.
It is narrated from Anas that he said: “On the day of the Battle of Hunayn, the tribes of Hawāzin, Ghaṭafān, and others came along with their children and livestock and launched an attack. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was accompanied by ten thousand men, including those who had been freed after the conquest of Mecca. However, they all fled from around the Prophet until he was left alone! The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called out for help once more, addressing only the Ansar. He looked to his right and said, ‘O group of Ansar, where are you?’ They replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah! We are here, and we stand with you. Rejoice!’ Then, he turned to the other side and said, ‘O group of Ansar, where are you?’ They answered, ‘We are here, ready to serve you!’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who was mounted on a white mule, dismounted and said, ‘I am the servant of Allah and His Messenger.’”
Then, the polytheists were defeated, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) acquired great spoils of war, which he distributed among the Muhājirūn and the newly freed people (Ṭulaqāʾ), but he did not give any of it to the Ansar. This led some of them to say: “Whenever hardship and war arise, we are called upon; yet when it comes to the spoils, they are given to others?”
When this statement reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he gathered them and said: “O group of Ansar, what is this that I have heard from you?” They all remained silent. Then, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O group of Ansar, are you not pleased that while others take worldly possessions, you take Muhammad, the son of ʿAbdullah, back with you to your homes?”
They all cried out: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah! We are pleased and content with this share.” Then, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “لَوْ سَلَكَ النَّاسُ وَادِياً وَ سَلَكَتِ الْأَنْصَارُ شِعْباً لَسَلَكْتُ شِعْبَ الأنصار” Translation: “If all the people of the world were to gather in one valley, and the Ansar were to gather in another valley, I would prefer the Ansar over all people and go to their valley.” [2]
Continues…
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