The Hadith Regarding the Command of the Prophet to Uphold Trustworthiness
A significant Hadith emphasizes the directive of the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), regarding the importance of performing duties and honoring trusts. The Hadith is as follows:
- (Abu Sufyan reported to me that Hercules asked him: “What does he command you?” He replied, “He commanded us to pray, speak the truth, maintain chastity, uphold commitments, and fulfill trusts.” Hercules commented, “This is a description of a Prophet.”)
Hadith Encouraging Trustworthiness
There are numerous Hadiths that highlight the importance of trustworthiness; the following are a few notable examples:
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when entrusted, he betrays.”
- Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Four traits, if they are found in you, will not harm you what you miss from this world: upholding trust, speaking the truth, good character, and moderation in earning.”
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah, blessed and exalted, will gather the people, and the believers will stand until Paradise is brought close to them. They will go to Adam, saying: ‘Our father, open for us the gate of Paradise.’ Adam will reply: ‘Did not your father Adam cause you to be expelled from Paradise? I am not responsible for that; go to my son, Ibrahim, the Friend of Allah.’ Ibrahim will say: ‘I am not responsible for that; I was merely a Friend from afar; go to Musa (peace be upon him), who spoke to Allah directly.’ When they approach Musa, he will respond: ‘I am not responsible for that, go to Isa, the Word of Allah and His Spirit.’ Isa (peace be upon him) will also say: ‘I am not responsible for that; go to Muhammad (peace be upon him).’ When they approach Muhammad, he will stand and be granted permission, and then trust and kinship will be returned to their respective positions on either side of the Sirat, and the first of you will pass like lightning.’
- Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying: “There is no faith for one who does not have trust. There is no religion for one who does not honor his commitments.”
- Both Anas ibn Malik and Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Return the trust to whom you were entrusted.”
- From Ubadah ibn As-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: “Guarantee me six things from yourselves and I will guarantee for you Paradise: be truthful when you speak, fulfill your promises, return trusts when entrusted, guard your private parts, lower your gazes, and restrain your hands.”
- Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) conveyed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “If you would like for Allah and His Messenger to love you, then uphold three characteristics: speak the truth, fulfill trusts, and maintain good neighborly relations.”
Hadith Concerning the Loss of Trustworthiness in the End Times
Several Hadiths discuss the decline of trustworthiness in the end times, with some of them detailed below:
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “When trust is lost, then await the Hour.” He was asked: “What does losing it mean, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “When authority is entrusted to those who are not deserving of it, then await the Hour.”
- Both Shaddad ibn Aws and Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him): “The first thing to be lost from your religion will be trustworthiness.”
- Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The first thing to be taken from the people will be trustworthiness, and the last thing to remain of their religion will be prayer. There may be a person who prays yet lacks any faith.”
- Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The first of your religion that you will lose is trustworthiness, and the last will be prayer.”
- Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) stated: “The first thing to be lost from your religion will be trustworthiness, and the last thing to remain will be prayer. There will be people who pray but possess no faith, and the Qur’an will be taken from among you. It may be said: ‘O Abu Abdur-Rahman, do we not recite the Qur’an and preserve it in our Mushafs?’ It will be said: ‘It will be taken from their hearts during the night, leaving nothing of it on earth.'”
Quranic Verses About Trustworthiness
Several verses in the Quran address the concept of trustworthiness, as follows:
- Allah (Exalted be He) said: “O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know [the consequence].”
- Allah (Exalted be He) stated: “And those who are to their trusts and their covenant are [diligently] watchful; and those who carefully maintain their prayer. Those are the inheritors who will inherit Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.”
- Allah (Exalted be He) commands: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.”
- Allah (Exalted be He) emphasized: “And those who are to their trusts and their covenant are [diligently] watchful; and those who stand firm in their testimony; and those who maintain their prayer. They will be in gardens, honored.”
- Allah (Exalted be He) stated: “Indeed, We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and feared it, but mankind accepted it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.”
In conclusion, this article presented a collection of prophetic Hadith that discuss the essential nature of trustworthiness, alongside various Quranic verses that highlight its significance in Islam.