Chapter 39. Breach of Trust

Allah Most High says,

O ye that believe! Betray not the trust of Allah and the Messenger, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you. (Al-anfal: 27)

Al-Wahidi (may Allah bestow mercy on him) said, "This verse is revealed concerning Abu Lubabah who was sent by the Prophet (pbuh) to the Jews of Banu Quraizah during the siege of Muslims to their land. The Jews said to Abu Lubabah, these families are living among the Jews, what do you say concerning the submission to the judgment of Sa'd. Abu Lubabah then pointed at his throat meaning that Sa'd would sentence you to be slaughtered. Abu Lubabah said, "I have not moved from my place until I realized that I betrayed Allah and His Messenger.”

"Nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you" means that Muslims are commanded to avoid betraying their trusts as they are prohibited to betray Allah and His Messenger (pbuh). Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Trust" means what Allah has entrusted Man with, i.e, the religious. Thus they are prohibited.

Al-Kalbi explained, "Disobedience to Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) means betraying the trust. However, man is entrusted with the other trusts like the religious duties even he can unlawfully betray them in secret."

"Knowingly" refers to the fact that man is commanded to avoid betraying the trusts as long as he undoubtedly knows the sacredness of these trusts.

The Glorious Quran moreover explains, Allah will never guide the snare of the false ones. (Yusuf: 52)

This glorious verse indicates that Allah will ever set the affairs of the treacherous ones in order. On the Day of Judgment, He will publicize their faults before people.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Three are the signs of the hypocrite: When he talks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it and when he is given a trust, he betrays.” [Agreed upon]

He (pbuh) also said,

"Someone who cannot keep a trust is devoid of faith. Someone who cannot keep an agreement is devoid of religion."

Some matters are worse than the others. A person who cheats one for a pittance is not like a person who betrays one concerning one's wife and money, perpetrating outrages.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Fulfill your trust to the one who entrusted you and do not betray the one who betrayed you.” [Ahmad]

Also the hadith states,

"A believer may be naturally disposed to any shortcoming except treachery and lying.” [Bukhari]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) declared further,

"Allah Most High says, 'I bless the partners as long as no one betrays the other.” [Abu Dawud]

"Trust is the first of characteristics to disappear among people, where as prayer is the last one and the prayer of some persons may be of no avail.” [Majma al-Zawaid]

The Prophet (pbuh) cautioned the Ummah saying,

"Beware of treachery for it is the worst companion.” [Abu Dawud]

Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) explained, "On the Day of Judgment, the persons who betrayed their trust will be commanded to fulfill it. Consequently, they would wonder, 'How can we fulfill what had been perished in the worldly life!" At this moment it would be pictured in the basest rank of Hell-fire. Having commanded to bring it from this place of Hell, the treacherous one would carry it over his shoulder and would find it heavier than the mountains of the world. As long as he reaches the top of the Hell, the trust would fall to the basest rank of Hell and it will happen forever" Ibn Masud added, "Prayer is a trust, ablution is a trust, Body-worship is a trust, measuring is a trust and th' greatest form of trusts is the deposits."

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