The inquirer says that Islamic law calls for the fulfillment of pledges and warns against treachery and their violation. Kindly explain this matter.

The dictionary Taj al-‘Arus defines the Arabic word ‘ahd (pledge) as security, a solemn commitment, a covenant, and an oath. It refers to anything to which a person has pledged himself before Allah, as well as to the pledges and agreements made between people. The word may also denote a command or instruction.  Breaking a pledge means failing to fulfill or honor it; this is known as treachery.

Islam praises the fulfillment of pledges and those who honor them, attributing to them virtues such as truthfulness and piety. It honors them in this world and in the Hereafter, while condemning treachery and those who commit it. Allah Almighty says, “… [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous” (Quran, 2:177), “… They will only be reminded who are people of understanding, those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and do not break the covenant” (Quran, 13:19-20), and “And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive, and they who carefully maintain their prayers—those are the inheritors Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally” (Quran, 23: 8-11). Allah Almighty commands His servants to honor their pledges, even those made with non-Muslims; He says, “And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned” (Quran, 17:34).

In the above verses, Allah Almighty commands His servants to fulfill the pledges they have made with others and not to betray them or break those pledges.[1] The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) described treachery and breach of pledges as among the characteristics of hypocrites that believers must strive to avoid. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “There are four signs of a pure hypocrite: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a pledge, he is treacherous; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he argues, he behaves wickedly. Whoever possesses one of them has a characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it” (recorded by Bukhari with this wording, and by Muslim).

And Allah Almighty knows best.