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wa-ʾawfū bi-ʿahdi llāhi ʾidhā ʿāhadtum wa-lā tanquḍū l-ʾaymāna baʿda tawkīdihā wa-qad jaʿaltumu llāha ʿalaykum kafīlan ʾinna llāha yaʿlamu mā tafʿalūna
Fulfill Allah’s covenant when you pledge, and do not break [your] oaths, after pledging them solemnly and having made Allah a witness over yourselves. Indeed Allah knows what you do.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah An-Nahl – Verse 91
91. “And fulfill you the covenant of Allah, when you make covenant, and do not break the oaths after making them fast, for you have appointed Allah over you a surety. Verily, Allah knows what you do.”
In Islamic quotations that the term /‘ahd/ (covenant), mentioned in the verse, has been regarded as the covenant of people made with the Divine leaders. If people stick to their pledges faithfully, Allah will also fulfill the promises which He has made, as the Qur’an says:
“…fulfill My covenant and I shall fulfill your covenant…” 2
In those days of the advent of Islam when the population of the Muslims was scanty and they had numerous enemies, and there was a strong possibility that because of this very fact, some believers might break their pledges which they had made with the Prophet (S) thus backing him down and withholding their support for him, the verse was thus revealed and they were, hence, warned about the dire consequences of their behavior. They were told that the strength of their oaths was the proof of their faith.
Thus, the Qur’an has dealt with another one of the most important teachings of Islam in this verse, when it says:
“And fulfill you the covenant of Allah, when you make covenant, and do not break the oaths after making them fast…”
You have sworn in the name of Allah and you have designated Allah as your surety and sponsor for your oath, it is because He is aware of all your acts. The verse continues saying:
“…for you have appointed Allah over you a surety. Verily, Allah knows what you do.”
The issue of /’aym an/, the plural of /yamin/ meaning oath, which is mentioned in the above holy verse, has got a comprehensive meaning which includes, both the pledges made by man with Allah as well as those oaths which he makes in the name of Allah with the people. In other words, every kind of commitment which is made under the name of Allah and by swearing His name, is included in this statement.
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