BETRAYAL: ATONEMENT & CONSEQUENCE
▪️The atonement (kaffârah) for not fulfilling a particular oath or promise is feeding 10 needy people, clothing them or fasting 3 days. (Refer to 5:89 for full Aayah and note that only trusts with lawful conditions are obligatory to fulfil.)
▪️Regarding those that die without fulfilling their trusts, our prophet (ﷺ) said: “Every traitor (of trusts) will have a flag on the Day of Judgement to identify them according to the amount of their treachery; there is no traitor of greater treachery than the leader who betrays his own people” (Muslim/ Bukhari).
Branches of Iman: Fulfilling Trusts (Part 5)
Allah (ﷻ) says in the Qur’an (5:1), “O you who have faith, honour (all) your pledges/contracts*…” Since Islam doesn’t distinguish between religion and state, the above verse relates to *all aspects* of our lives (individual, social and political). It does not only apply to money but to *all* trusts such as repaying debts or appointing someone for a job, position or responsibility. Regarding this, Allah (ﷻ) says:
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
Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due (and most deserving of it) and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.
Branches of Iman: Fulfilling Trusts (Part 4)
Amaanah at the Social level
“Everyone of you is a shepherd (leader or trustee) and each one of you is answerable to Allah with regard to the trust that was given to you. [Bukhari & Muslim] We learn from the above hadith that Amaanah is not limited to a select few; rather each and every person carries a part of the trust. A ruler is a trustee and is responsible for the people he leads, a man is responsible for his wife and offspring, a woman is a trustee and is responsible for her household and children. Even the work entrusted to us is a trust, while undoing it is betrayal. From the prophetic traditions, the trusts that is considered most worthy of fulfillment are those related to marital relationships. Secrets and trusts related to this relationship should never be revealed onto outsiders. They should also afford the same courtesy to other families by not investigating others’ livelihoods nor interrogating them about what they did, what they cooked, what they ate, whom they visited or what they wore during each gathering!
Branches of Iman: Fulfilling Trusts (Part 3)
Amaanah at the Individual level
A scholar said: ‘Amaanah (trustworthiness) is the core of our faith and its importance/position is like that of the heart to the body, in which it is found in seven limbs: the eyes, ears, tongue, hand, foot, stomach, and the private parts. Whoever betrays the trust of all of them, leaves the circle of faith.’ Another scholar said, ‘Everything that Allāh has obligated upon His servants is a trust, such as: Salah, Zakat, Siyam, and repaying debts.
Accordingly, Amaanah at an individual level is to treat every obligation and blessing that Allah ﷻ has granted us as a trust, and to perform/use them only in accordance with His Will. Thus, our eyesight is a trust, hearing is a trust, our hands and feet are a trust, our tongue is a trust, and our money is also a trust.
﴾يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا لا تَخونُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسولَ وَتَخونوا أَماناتِكُم وَأَنتُم تَعلَمونَ﴿
“O You who have faith! Do not betray Allāh and His Messenger and do not knowingly betray your trusts.”
Branches of Iman: Fulfilling Trusts (Part 2)
For a Muslim, the most honorable and holiest pledge is the one which he has made with his Lord and Creator. Fulfilling this pledge doesn’t just mean following rituals but following Allah’s ﷻ way of life.
Islam sees the human being as a trustee of God on earth; it doesn’t regard the human being as a sinful being with sin as the centre of his life. Sin is present in human life but trust and responsibility is the concept that supersedes all other things!
In order for human beings to truly be the trustees of God on earth they must have a great deal of determination as it is not an easy trust. The Quran in (33:72) describes this trust as a responsibility which the earth, mountains and seas could not undertake! But the human chose to carry this challenging responsiblity. This responsibility is also expressed in surah Yaseen (60-61).
In brief, the most important application of this aspect of ‘Amaanah is for the individual to select the way of life which is in accordance with the will of his creator.
Branches of Iman: Fulfilling Trusts (Part 1)
The word ‘Amânah’ (trust) is a very comprehensive term that entails: adherence to Islamic injunctions, fairness in dealings, and giving everybody their due. The decline in moral values such as honouring trusts is one of the signs of Qiyamah. Our Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“إِذَا ضُيِّعَتِ الأَمَانَةُ فَانْتَظِرِ السَّاعَةَ”.قَالَ كَيْفَ إِضَاعَتُهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، قَالَ “إِذَا أُسْنِدَ الأَمْرُ إِلَى غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ، فَانْتَظِرِ السَّاعَةَ”
“When the practice of honouring a trust is lost, expect the Last Day.” He was asked: “How could it be lost?” He replied, “When the governance/authority is entrusted to undeserving people, then wait for the Last Day.”
The 3 types of trusts
1. A pledge made by a person to Allah ﷻ. Upon reciting the Kalimah and entering Islam, one declares complete submission to Allah and His messenger.
2. A pledge made by a person upon himself. e.g. a person takes an oath to perform a certain action for Allah.
3. A pledge made by two people, groups, governments, etc. This includes business transactions and marriages.
Remembering Allah ﷻ – Final Part
BRANCHES OF IMAN: Remembering Allah ﷻ – Final Part — Virtues of of Dhikr
1. Dhikr is Greater than Everything
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The Mufarridūn have outdone everyone.” They asked: “Who are the Mufarridūn?” He ﷺ replied: “The men and women who frequently remember Allah.” (Muslim)
2. Frequent Dhikr Leads to Success
Allah ﷻ says:
_“Remember Allah much that you may be successful.” (Quran, 8:45)_
3. Dhikr Protects You from Being Amongst the ‘Losers’
Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) says:
“O you who believe, let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that, then those are the losers.” (Qur’an, 63:9)
4. Dhikr will Save You from Regret
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“No people leave a gathering in which they did not remember Allah, the Almighty, except that it will be as if they are leaving the carcass of a donkey; and it will be a cause of regret for them.” (Abū Dāwūd)
He also ﷺ said: “The people of Paradise will not regret anything, except for those moments in which they did not remember Allah.” (Ṭabarānī)
5. Dhikr is a Protection against Shaytān
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ quoting Prophet Yaḥyā (ʿalayhis-salām) said:
“I command you to remember Allah. Verily, the parable of that is a man who goes forth while his enemies are fast upon him, and then he comes to a safe fortress, where he protects himself from them. In the same way, a servant will not protect himself against Shayṭān except by the dhikr of Allah.” (Tirmidhī 2863)
Remembering Allah ﷻ – Part 4
BRANCHES OF FAITH: Remembering Allah ﷻ – Part 4
● In terms of rank and virtue, the heart’s Dhikr is considered superior to the tongue while the perfect form is a combination of both. In Surah Aalu Imran (Qur’an 3:190 – 195), Allah ﷻ describes the people understanding & reason as those who combined the heart’s reflection with the tongue remembrance.
● Despite the heart’s Dhikr being superior, one mustn’t totally disregard the other form (tongue) even if it is devoid of reflection because the tongue through repetition can eventually move and inspire the heart.
● Sulaiman Al Khawas said: “Remembrance of God in relationship to the heart is like nourishment relative to the body, thus as the body cannot find pleasure in food when it is sick, likewise the heart cannot find the sweetness of Dhikr when it is in love with the material world.”
Remembering Allah ﷻ – Part 3
BRANCHES OF IMĀN: Remembering Allah ﷻ – Part 3
● Imam Al Ghazali said: The effective and beneficial remembrance is that which is consistent and accompanied by a present heart. As for mere verbal Dhikr while the heart is diverted, there is little benefit.
● The heart’s Presence?
It is when remembrance settles within the heart to the extent that the servant vividly recalls the pleasure, love, majesty, reward and punishment of Allah in every moment and situation. Thus when he buys/sells he doesn’t defraud, when he deals with people he doesn’t double-cross, when he is angry he doesn’t oppress, and when worships he doesn’t show off.
● With the above in mind, we can begin to appreciate the Aayah:
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
The true believers are only those whose hearts tremble with awe at the remembrance of Allah, whose faith increases when His revelations are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord.
Remembering Allah ﷻ – Part 2
BRANCHES OF IMĀN: Remembering Allah ﷻ – Part 2
● Dhikr (remembrance) is worship pertaining to the heart and tongue. It is the soul and companion of all good deeds. Thus righteous actions devoid of Dhikr are like a body without a soul.
It is the ever open door between Allah ﷻ and His slave so long as the slave doesn’t shut it through his heedlessness. Al-Hasanul Basri said: “Search for sweetness/contentment in three things: in Salah, Dhikr and recitation of the Qur’an. If you don’t find it (sweetness), then know that the door is closed”.
● Dhikr is not only perfomed in seclusion but also when one is amongst the people i.e. in gatherings & assemblies. Our beloved prophet ﷺ said:
“لاَ يَقْعُدُ قَوْمٌ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلاَّ حَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَنَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ.”
“When a group of people assemble for the remembrance of Allah, the angels surround them (with their wings), Allah’s mercy envelops them, Sakinah (tranquillity) descends upon them and Allah makes a mention of them before those who are near Him.” (Muslim).