Author: Rahmatullah Rahmani
Fulfilling The Promise (6)
Undoubtedly, the spread and expansion of trust in the field of trade and other economic transactions are based on the obligation of fulfilling commitments, and trust is established through them. However, the conditions that must be fulfilled must be written in accordance with the limits of Sharia and aligned with it; otherwise, those conditions are not respected, and the Muslim is not obliged to fulfill them.
Islam has given the greatest importance to marriage contracts and covenants, making them subject to special observance. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Indeed, the worthiest condition that you fulfill, and it is obligatory for you to fulfill, is the condition that you make at the time of marriage, by which you make lawful for yourself non-mahram women.”
Therefore, a man who has married a woman has no right to ignore even a single dirham of her right, to be unfaithful to her, or to despise this marital bond that has united them. It is stated in the hadith: Any man who marries a woman, whether for a small or large dowry, and does not intend to pay her dues (that is, does not intend to pay her dowry and her rights), has deceived her. If he dies and does not give her dues, he will face Allah on the Day of Resurrection as an adulterer (i.e., he will be held accountable as an adulterer because he has not fulfilled his promise and covenant). Similarly, anyone who takes a loan and does not intend to pay the debt has deceived the creditor to take his property. If he dies and does not repay the debt, he will face Allah as a thief and will be held accountable as a thief.”
Indeed, this is not surprising, because there are many verses in the Quran that encourage keeping one’s promise and warn against breaking it. “وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًا” “Fulfill your covenants (with Allah or people), for you will be questioned about them.”
“وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ إِذَا عَاهَدتُّمْ وَلَا تَنقُضُوا الْأَيْمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ” Translation: “Fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have made it, and do not break your promises after confirming them, and you have taken Allah as a witness. Indeed, Allah is aware of what you do.”
Continues…
[1] – Author Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 3, p. 499, Book of Marriage, regarding a man marrying a woman, No. 16451.
[2] – Al-Mu’jam Al-Awsat, Vol. 6, p. 210, Chapter of the letter M, regarding the name: Muhammad, No. 6213.
[3] – Surah Al-Isra, 34.
[4] – Surah An-Nahl, 91.
