By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
06 August 2019
Islam strongly emphasizes fulfilment of Covenant (Ahad). It teaches that even if a person is in a severe state of hardship, he should maintain his covenant. Islam strictly prohibits Muslims from breaking promise. Islam substantiates that the one who breaks promise earns displeasure of Allah and will deserve punishment.
Allah Almighty says in the Quran,
“But yes, whoever fulfils his covenant and fears Allah - then indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him. Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.” (3:76-77)
In the above-mentioned verse, having condemned those who break the Covenant, Allah Almighty admires those who fulfil the Covenant. This verse emphasizes that the person who fulfilled the covenant and feared Allah is beloved by Allah.
The Commentators of the Quran have described the virtue of fulfilling the covenant this way that the obedience to Allah Almighty depends on two things; (1) reverence for Allah Almighty and (2) affection for the creatures. Both are included in the meaning of fulfilling the covenant. Allah has commanded the fulfilment of the covenant. Thus fulfilling the covenant is obedience to His command and great reverence for God. Fulfilment of the covenant benefits the creature. Therefore there is not only reverence for Allah but also affection for the creatures. This can also be said that whoever fulfils the covenant of the creatures will also fulfil the covenant of Allah. The covenant of the slaves towards Allah is that he should worship Him alone, obey all His commands, and abstain from all the acts that Allah has forbidden. If the human beings fulfil the covenant of God and His servants, he will become perfect devotee (muttaqi) and these are the people whom Allah loves.
Allah says in the next verse: “Those who sell out God's covenant and their oaths for a paltry price will have no share in the life to come on the Day of Resurrection. God will neither speak to them nor cast a look upon them on the Day of Judgement, nor will He purify them. For them there shall be a grievous punishment”. (3:77)
Allah says,
“When you speak, observe justice, even though it concerns a close relative; and fulfil the covenants of God. That is what He has enjoined upon you so that you may take heed”. (6:152)
He also says,
“As for those who have honoured the treaty that you made with them and who have not supported anyone against you: fulfil your agreement with them to the end of their term. God loves those who are righteous.” (9:4)
It has been known through the afore-mentioned verses of the Quran that Islam strictly prohibits from breaking the covenant. This is mentioned not only in the Quran, but the preacher of Islam the Prophet (peace be upon him) has also presented an exemplary character of fulfilling the covenant. The following incident is one of many examples.
When the pagans of Makkah were more in number during the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Huzaifa bin Yaman and his father Abu Haseel set out for joining the Muslim army. On the way some disbelievers stopped them and asked if they were heading for Badr to support the Prophet (peace be upon him). They replied in negative and promised not to assist the Muslim army and were later let go by the disbelievers. Then they reached the Muslim army and told the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the incident taking place on the way. The Prophet separated both of them from the battle-line and said, “We always fulfil our promises, not matter what the circumstance. We need the help of Allah Almighty alone and He is Sufficient as a Helper” (Sahih Muslim)
We find many such events in the books of history and traditions that Muslims and the rightly guided caliphs (Khulafa-e-Rashidin) did not break the covenant. But today the situation has turned. Not only do the people break the covenant for their own benefit, but they also oppress others. One person says something and others something else. They break their promises momentarily. However Islam teaches that once a person has made covenant, it is compulsory for him to fulfil it, no matter he may have to bear the big loss. From there it can be concluded that anyone who has made covenant to live peacefully under a democratic law in a country, he must fulfil it, whatever the case may be.
http://www.newageislam.com/islam-and-politics/kaniz-fatma,-new-age-islam/what-does-islam-say-about-keeping-the-covenant-of-living-peacefully-under-any-democratic-constitution?/d/119398
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