Honouring Commitments
Deathbed Wish
Less effort, High score
Building Relationships
“Life’s most urgent question is… ‘What are you doing for others?’”
We have bank accounts with… Allah (swt) Parents Siblings Relatives Teachers Friends
very important deposits and withdrawals
Deposits Being honest Keeping a promise Acts of kindness Being loyal Listening Saying sorry Withdrawals Being dishonest Breaking a promise Being selfish Gossiping and breaking confidence Not listening Being arrogant
Keeping promises
Give out promises sparingly..
If you can’t keep a commitment…. let the other person know why
Big deposit in your parents’ account
Withdrawals in commitment take a long time to rebuild
Trying to mend broken trust
What all does a commitment include?
Expressing acceptance of an agreement
rejection of an agreement
Taking an oath
Promise to do something in the future
Major Issues
Marriage
Peace Treaties between nations
Job Duties
Petty issues
Telling a friend you’ll call her tomorrow
Submitting home-work on time
Promising your mom you’ll clean your room
Promising to return your friend’s book
Coming to class on time Leaving after it’s over
Promise to Allah (swt)
Allah (swt) forbids Muslims to break their promises after they have confirmed them [Surah An Nahl 16: Verse 91]
…..and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord?"- They said: "Yes! We do testify!“… [Surah Al ‘Araf 7: Verse 172]
Yes, whoever fulfils his pledge and fears Allah much; verily, then Allah loves those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious ). [Surah Aal-e-’Imran: Verse 76]
"Four traits; whoever possesses them is a hypocrite & whoever possesses some of them, has an element of hypocrisy until he leaves it: 1. The one who when he speaks, he lies. 2. When he promises, he breaks his promise. 3. When he disputes, he transgresses, and 4. When he makes an agreement, he violates it. [Agreed Upon]
Two categories of breaking a promise
Making a promise with no intention of keeping it Making a promise intending to keep it and then later deciding to break it
EXCEPTIONS IN PERMISSIBILITY TO BREAK A PROMISE
1.FORGETTING Allah has forgiven us for forgetfulness [Muslim]
2.BEING FORCED TO BREAK ONE’S PROMISE. [Ibn Maajah]
3. A PROMISE TO DO SOMETHING HARAAM OR NOT TO DO SOMETHING OBLIGATORY [As-Saheehayn]
4. IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS
Expiation for breaking a promise Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten poor persons on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths you have sworn. [Surah Al-Ma-idah 5: Verse 89]
“Whatever”
Sins Major sins (Kabeerah) Minor sins (Sagheerah)
Minor Sins Deleted from our book of deeds, when we do small good deeds like wudu
Major Sins Are deleted from our book of deeds only if we ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness.
If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul, but afterwards seeks Allah's forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Surah An-Nisa 4:110]
Major or Minor sin?
It’s a MAJOR SIN!
Some major sins Making partners with Allah (swt) Killing others unjustly Misusing an orphan’s wealth Using income from interest Fleeing from the battlefield
Slandering pious women Disobeying parents Disrespecting the House of Allah (swt) Backbiting Some major sins
A friend tells you not to leak her secret……..but you think no harm in telling “only” your best friend.
Your mom’s friend called while she was away & left a message for her… …but you didn’t tell your mom
coming late for class…
Tony
But I didn’t say the word ‘promise’
Damage Control
Ask Forgiveness
Make up for the loss
Seek forgiveness from Allah (swt)
Don't make it a partial promise Will return your notes
You made 3 promises to return her notes to return them at 4 o’clock to return them the next day
How to go about it
Insha Allah The easy way out?
We must try our utmost
Then leave it to Allah (swt)
Be Flexible
Re-negotiate with the other’s consent
Make Systems
We must not take breaking commitments lightly. Must Remember !