Faith and Fidelity: The Essential Role of Keeping Promises in Islam

Introduction

On the 23^rd of Dhu al-Qa‘dah, we recall the event of the Battle of Banu Qurayza, which followed a grave act of betrayal and the breaking of a pact during a critical moment for the Muslim community. This historical moment highlights the vital importance of loyalty and honouring agreements in Islam, as emphasised in a powerful saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

حضرت محمد مصطفی (ص): لا دِينَ لِمَنْ لا عَهْدَ لَهُ

“There is no faith for the one who does not keep their covenant.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 72, p. 96)

Educational Messages of this Hadith for Teenagers and Young People

1. Faith Must Show in Behaviour

Religion is not just belief; it should appear in your actions, especially in qualities like keeping promises.

Practical Challenge: Choose one moral quality (e.g. honesty or keeping promises) and practise it consciously every day this week.

2. Know Your Commitments

Think carefully about the promises you have made – to yourself, to others, and to Allah – and take them seriously.

Practical Challenge: Write down three promises you have made and check if you are fulfilling them.

3. Judge Yourself Honestly

Do not only focus on how you look or what you say; examine your actions strictly. How well do they align with the teachings of your faith?

Practical Challenge: At the end of each day, review one action and ask: “Was this in line with my faith?”

4. Be Careful Whom You Trust

A person who does not keep their promises is not reliable.

Practical Challenge: Observe the people around you and choose friends who show responsibility and honesty.

5. Be True to Your Word

Keeping promises builds trust and shows strong character.

Practical Challenge: Keep every promise you make today, even small ones.

6. Think Before You Promise

Do not promise something unless you are sure you can do it.

Practical Challenge: Pause and think for 10 seconds before agreeing to anything this week.

7. Trust is Hard to Rebuild

Breaking promises damages relationships and is difficult to fix.

Practical Challenge: Apologise sincerely if you have recently broken a promise.

Educational Messages of this Hadith for Parents

1. Honour Your Promises at Home

Always keep the promises you make to your children and family members.

Practical Challenge: Recall one promise you made recently and make sure you fulfil it without delay.

2. Avoid Empty Promises

Do not make promises just to calm or please your children.

Practical Challenge: Only make promises you are certain you can keep this week.

3. Teach Accountability

Help children understand the importance of responsibility.

Practical Challenge: Ask your child to reflect on one promise they made and whether they kept it.

4. Correct Gently but Firmly

Teach the value of keeping promises with kindness and consistency.

Practical Challenge: When your child breaks a promise, guide them to fix it instead of ignoring it.

5. Teaching Trustworthiness

Explain to your children that being trustworthy comes from keeping promises and fulfilling commitments.

Practical Challenge: Have a short conversation with your child this week about trust, and ask them to give one example of keeping a promise.

Educational Messages of this Hadith for Imams and Teachers

1. Explain the Meaning of Covenants

Teach the different types of commitments – towards Allah, people, and oneself – and their consequences.

Practical Challenge: In your next session, clearly define at least two types of commitments with examples.

2. Link Faith to Action

Emphasise that true religiosity must be visible in behaviour, and warn against acting خلاف what one believes.

Practical Challenge: Share one example where actions contradicted beliefs and discuss its impact.

3. Remind of Our Covenant with Allah

People should remember their promises to Allah, such as obedience and sincerity.

Practical Challenge: Encourage your audience to renew one personal commitment to Allah this week.

4. Emphasise Integrity in Faith

Teach that faith is incomplete without honesty and reliability.

Practical Challenge: Highlight one real-life example of integrity in your next lesson.

5. Address Modern Breaches of Trust

Sometimes people may not even realise that they are breaking their commitments. This breach of trust can happen very gradually, step by step, and almost unnoticed.

Practical Challenge: Dedicate part of your talk to a common example of broken commitments in today’s family life and critically address it.

6. Encourage Personal Responsibility

Guide people to take ownership of their commitments.

Practical Challenge: Ask your audience to write down one promise they will fulfil this week.

7. Teach Through Practice

Be a role model in keeping your own commitments.

Practical Challenge: Publicly commit to and fulfil one community-related responsibility.