Fulfillment Of Promises
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“And fulfill (every) covenant. Verily! The covenant will be questioned about.” (17:34)
“And fulfill the Covenant of Allah (Bai`ah: pledge for Islam) when you have covenanted.” (16:91)
“O you who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations.” (5:1)
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” (61:2,3)
Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anh) reported: Messenger of Allah (salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Three are the signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Another narration adds the words: “Even if he observes Saum (fasts), performs Salat (prayer) and claims to be a Muslim.”
`Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (radiallahu anh) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Four are the qualities which, when found in a person, make him a sheer hypocrite, and one who possesses one of them, possesses one characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it. These are: When he is entrusted with something, he betrays trust; when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he acts treacherously; and when he argues, he behaves in a very imprudent, insulting manner.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
`Ulama’ say that there are two aspects of hypocrisy, relating to faith and practice. In the first case, a hypocrite conceals his disbelief in his heart but verbally professes Islam. Anyone who belongs to this category of hypocrites will be, as stated in the Qur’an: “In the lowest depths of the Fire.” (4:145). In the second case, a man does have faith in his heart but in practice he portrays the characteristics of a hypocrite. Unfortunately a majority of us today behave like this and possess these propensities. May Allah put us on the right path!
Seifeddine-M