Promise Keeping

Ethics

Moral Verses Ifk Verses • Al-Ukhuwwa Verse • Al-It'am Verse • Al-Naba' Verse • Najwa Verse • Verse of Trusts • Al-Sulh Verse Moral Hadiths Hadith of qurb al-nawafil • Hadith Makarim al-akhlaq • Hadith of Mi'raj • Hadith Junud al-'Aql wa l-Jahl Moral Virtues Humility • Contentment • Generosity • Controlling Anger • Truthfulness • Hilm (forbearance) • Asceticism • Bravery • Chastity • Insaf (Equity) • Silat al-Rahim • Wara' • Islah dhat al-bayn Moral Vices Hubris • Greed • Envy • Lie • Backbiting • Namima (Talebearing) • Miserliness • Disobedience to Parents • 'Ujb (self-conceit) • Sum'a • Cutting blood relation • Spreading grave sins • Ingratitude • Hypocrisy • Tabdhir Moral Terminologies Jihad with the self • Self-critical soul • Commanding Soul • Soul at peace • Self-reckoning • Muraqaba • Musharata • Sin • Morality lessons • Istidraj Scholars of Ethics Muhammad Mahdi Naraqi • Ahmad al-Naraqi • Sayyid 'Ali Qadi Tabataba'i • Sayyid Rida Baha' al-Dini • Sayyid 'Abd al-Husayn Dastghayb • Muhammad Taqi Bahjat References of Ethics Qur'an • Nahj al-balagha • Misbah al-shari'a wa miftah al-haqiqa • Makarim al-Akhlaq • Al-Mahajjat al-bayda' • Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir • Jami' al-sa'adat • Mi'raj al-sa'ada • Al-Muraqabat

Promise keeping (wafāʾ bi-l-ʿahd) (Arabic: الوفاء بالعهد) is a moral virtue emphasized in the Qur'an and hadiths. According to hadiths within the Islamic tradition, fulfilling one's commitments is the essence of faith, a sign of certainty, and the core of all religions. In the Quran, God is praised for this attribute, and in hadiths, it is highlighted as a defining characteristic of Shiite Imams.

According to Quranic exegetes, God in the Quran has praised promise-keeping individuals, placing them among the believers, the truthful, those who pray, those who attained salvation, and the dwellers of paradise. Based on Quranic verses, keeping promises leads to being in the company of the Prophet (s) on the Day of Judgment.

Significance

Keeping a promise is defined as fully carrying out an obligation that a person has committed to undertake. Fulfilling promises and covenants is considered one of the highest moral virtues, while breaking promises is regarded as one of the worst moral vices.

According to Makarim Shirazi, the issue of keeping promises is extensively addressed in the Quran and hadiths. It is emphasized with the strongest expressions and statements, underscoring the necessity of fulfilling commitments, while those who break their promises are severely condemned.

In hadiths, keeping promises is described as the essence of religion and a sign of certainty, a hallmark of faith in God and the Day of Judgment, while breaking promises is equated with irreligion. According to a hadith from Imam al-Sajjad (a), fulfilling commitments is one of the three essences of all religions. In Nahj al-Balagha, it is also regarded as one of the most important divine obligations.

Fulfilling the Promises as a Characteristic of God, Prophets, and Imams

According to some Quranic exegetes, God in the Quran has praised Himself with the attribute of promise keeping. In the Quran, Prophet Ishmael (a) is described as "true to his promise" (Sadiq al-Wa'd). Keeping promises is also one of the qualities attributed to Shiite Imams, particularly Imam al-Husayn (a).

The Necessity of Keeping Promises as a Quranic Ruling

Based on the Quranic verse "Keep your agreements" (Awfu bi-l-'uqud), jurists have ruled that fulfilling all contracts or agreements is obligatory, and this topic has been extensively discussed in Islamic jurisprudential literature. In his book Farhang-i Qur'an, Hashimi Rafsanjani, citing Quranic verses, states that keeping promises is among the obligations that God has explicitly commanded in several verses.

Quranic researcher Rida'i Isfahani, citing certain Quranic verses, has written that humans are responsible for their commitments and will be held accountable for breaking their promises.

Outcomes of Promise Keeping in the Quran

Quranic scholars, based on verses from the Quran, have outlined several outcomes of keeping promises, including: being in the company of the Prophet (s) on the Day of Resurrection, assurance of paradise, attaining a great reward, and being worthy of salvation.

Fulfilling Commitments as a Universal Law

Makarim Shirazi has written that, according to hadiths, keeping promises is a universal law that encompasses both Muslims and non-Muslims. He believes that the obligation to honor commitments is rooted in human innate nature, and thus, it is deemed necessary among all nations and peoples, whether they adhere to a religion or not. Citing Quran 2:177, he states that the concept of fulfilling promises in the Quran is unconditional and applies to all divine covenants and human agreements, whether with Muslims or non-Muslims. As long as others remain faithful to their commitments, Muslims are also obligated to honor their pledges.

In Imam Ali's (a) letter to Malik al-Ashtar, it is stated that all people worldwide, despite their differences in beliefs and inclinations, unanimously agree on the necessity of keeping promises; even the polytheists of the pre-Islamic era adhered to it. In this letter, Malik al-Ashtar is instructed to remain faithful to his commitments, even with non-Muslims.

Characteristics of Promise Keepers

According to 'Allama Tabataba'i, in the Quran and hadiths, those who keep their promises are described with certain characteristics, including: being among the people of intellect and wisdom, establishing divine bonds, being God-fearing and patient, and being prayerful individuals who combat misdeeds with good deeds. Quranic researcher Rida'i Isfahani has also written that, in certain Quranic verses, promise keepers are characterized by attributes such as righteousness and faith.