A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
Fulfilling covenants.
Fulfilling covenants is an essential virtue among the ethics of Islam.
It is indispensable for establishing trust and tranquility in the relationships individuals have with one another.
This applies equally to relationships between groups, states, and nations.
Allah the Exalted says:
“It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture and the prophets; and giveth wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observeth proper worship and payeth the poor-due. And those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the Allah-fearing.” (2:177)
For without the fulfillment of covenants,
everyone lives in fear and anxiety of treachery.
No one feels secure in a promise or trusts in a covenant.
Therefore, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, forbade treachery and said:
"For every treacherous person, a banner will be raised on the Day of Resurrection in proportion to his treachery."
"And there is no treachery greater than that of a leader of the public."
Narrated by Muslim.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, also mentioned treachery as one of the characteristics of a hypocrite, saying:
"And when he makes a covenant, he acts treacherously." (Agreed upon).
Fulfilling covenants with people is based, first and foremost, on fulfilling the covenant with Allah.
Allah the Exalted says:
"And fulfill the covenant of Allah."
The covenant of Allah is to affirm His oneness and follow His Messenger.
It is to perform acts of obedience and avoid acts of disobedience.
Whoever does not fulfill the covenant of Allah,
will not be faithful to his covenant with people.
Allah, glory be to Him, commanded the fulfillment of covenants in general,
whether it is with Him or with people.
He clarified that everyone will be held accountable for this on the Day of Resurrection.
"And fulfill every covenant."
“Come not near the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better till he come to strength; and keep the covenant. Lo! of the covenant it will be asked.” (17:34)
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.