Bismillahir rahmanir raheem

Assalamu ‘Alaikum, greetings of peace to you.

The subject of Trust is so important in our daily life: if people trust one another and if they act accordingly, they will live in peace and harmony. If we trust one another, but we do not act rightfully, we will create a state of anarchy, a state of confusion and a state of disturbance in the society.

Allah (swt) instructs us to put our trust in Him. He asks that we should fulfill our trust, and make sure that we deal with trust. It is understood that Allah (swt) Himself is the One Who fulfills His promises. He commanded us to fulfill our own promises, too. He says in Surah An-Nisa’ (The Women):

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا – 4:58

Inna Allaha ya murukum an tu-addooal-amanati ila ahliha wa-itha hakamtumbayna annasi an tahkumoo bil’adliinna Allaha ni’a imma ya ‘aithukum bihiinna Allaha kana samee’an baseera

Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.

It should be understood that the concept of Amanah (Trust) has been given to us since the time Allah created mankind. Allah offered the trust to the universe, and every creation refused to assume the responsibility. The only creature who assumed such a responsibility is human beings. In this respect, Allah informs us about His offer of the trust to the universe in Surah Al-Ahzab (The Companies):

إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنسَانُ ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا – 33:72

Inna ‘aradna al-amanata ’ala assamawati wal-ardiwaljibali faabayna an yahmilnahawaashfaqna minha wahamalaha al-insanuinnahu kana thalooman jahoola

“We did indeed offer the trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it; he was indeed unjust and ignorant” (33:72)

Allah has instructed us to fulfill our pledges, our promises and our commitments. Any time we make a promise, we have to fulfill it in order to be considered among the believers is that they fulfill their covenants, their promises and their agreements. In Surah Al-Mu’minun (The Believers), Allah says the following about the good qualities of the believers:8-10

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ – 23:8

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ – 23:9

أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ – 23:10

Wallatheena hum li-amanatihimwaAAahdihim raAAoon

Wallatheena hum AAala salawatihimyuhafithoon

Ola-ika humu alwarithoon

And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive (8)

And they who carefully maintain their prayers (9)

Those are the inheritors (10)

I should point out that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) was called Al-Amin: The Trustworthy Person. He fulfilled all of his promises from his childhood until his death. He never betrayed anyone, and he never lied in his life. He was the best example of a Muslim to the ummah.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) explained to us that the following items are part of the trusts that we have to fulfill: salat, ablution, weighing, measured, deposits, private talks, advising, etc. In one Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (saw) informed us to fulfill Amanah even if the other party is not trustworthy.

“Discharge the settlement to those who entrusted you, and don’t betray even the one who broke his promise.” Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawood

We have been informed by our beloved Prophet (saw) that whoever does not fulfill his promises does not have faith and does not have religion. In one Hadith, he said:

“There is no faith for the one who has no trust, and there is no religion for the one that does not fulfill his promises.” – Imam Ahmad

In another Hadith it is reported that an advisor is to keep things in confidence.

We are informed by our beloved Prophet (saw) that whoever does not fulfill his commitments, pledges and promises is considered to be a hypocrite. In one Hadith, it is reported:

Narrated by Abu Huriarah (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (saw) said:

“Signs of a hypocrite are three: whenever he speaks he lies; whenever he promises, he breaks his promises; and whenever he has been entrusted, be betrays his trust; even if he fasts and prays and even if he claims he is a Muslim.”

We are advised by Prophet Muhammad (saw) that if someone talks to another person and he does not want his name to be released, it is considered to be an Amanah. Whoever does not keep the secret, he is a betrayer. In one Hadith it is reported that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“When someone hears a discussion from a person who does not want his name to be released, it is considered to be a private conversation. It is a trust and even if he did not ask to be kept private.” Imam Ahmad

Our Prophet Muhammad (saw) explained to us the things that help us to live an honest and a happy life. Among the few, he mentioned the following:

Reported by Abdullah Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“If you have four qualities, you should not worry about what you missed in life: To take care of the trust, to take care of the truth, to have good manners, and to have modest and pure food.”

After this I wish to request you kindly to observe and fulfill your promises.

Whenever you promise someone, try to carry out your promises perfectly and on time so as to be considered among the believers. Please do not break your agreements, your promises, your pledges and your contracts. Try to fulfill them as soon as possible and in the perfect way. Do not even delay the fulfillment of your promises. Don’t be among those who say, “tomorrow”. Tomorrow may never come. Let us work all together for the love of Allah. Let us train one another to practice the teachings of Islam. Let us fulfill our covenant and our pledge to Allah: whatever we have promised Him, we should execute our promises. By doing so, we will earn His Blessings, His Mercy and His Forgiveness.

Let me end with an Ayah from the Qur’an in Surah Al-Ma’arij (The Way of Ascent) about the qualities of those who perform the regular prayers:

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ – 70:32

وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِشَهَادَاتِهِمْ قَائِمُونَ – 70:33

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ – 70:34

أُولَٰئِكَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ مُّكْرَمُونَ – 70:35

Wallatheena hum li-amanatihimwa ‘ahdihim ra ‘oon

Wallatheena hum bishahadatihimqa-imoon

Wallatheena hum ‘ala salatihimyuhafithoon

Ola-ika fee jannatin mukramoon

And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive, and those who are in their testimonies upright, and those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: They will be in gardens, honored. (70:32-35)

May Allah keep us on the straight path of Islam. May Allah guide us, help us and bless us. Ameen.

Wa Allahu alim.