IN our everyday lives as well as in matters of great import, such as governance and national and international dealings, human beings make promises. On a one-to-one basis, or collectively, the signature or stamp of a person or entity such as a government, or even a verbal agreement implies a commitment to a deed. Whether it be a peace treaty, an end to family or tribal feuds, or something as minor as a promise to meet at a certain time, it entails a firm commitment on the side of the persons involved. A promise is distinct from intention. The latter may or may not be carried out; the former is a must.

This is the meaning that a promise holds for a true Muslim. The word has been used 151 times in the Quran, and tens of times Muslims have been enjoined to fulfil their word to another person. It is not merely an expression of intent or desire, but a wholehearted communication meant to indicate that whatever is being said or written will be carried out as per the terms of commitment.

The Holy Quran states: “…and fulfil (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)” (17:34). Here, engagement means promise or a commitment.

In Islam, promises are of three types: the promises that God had made to human beings both in this life and the Day of Judgment; promise that all human souls made to God before coming to the world: that He was their Creator and one and only Lord; and promises that humans make to each other. Each of these three are sacred for they define the relationships between God and His creation and among the latter. Breaking any of the latter two by human beings is to deny themselves the dignity, respect and courage that are the hallmarks of humanity.

How easily we break our word to each other and to God.

The Prophet (PBUH) is believed to have said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie; and whenever he promises, he breaks his promise” (Sahih Bukhari, 6,095).

And yet, how easily and almost without missing a heartbeat do we break promises, both to each other and to God. For our promises to God are nothing but lip service and mechanical rituals without meaning and spirit, and our promises to each other are trivial and made to be broken. We commit to things we know we shall never do and sign papers knowing we shall default. From politics to simple trade, our commitments are worth nothing at all.

This is exactly what hypocrisy involves: saying something while meaning something different. At every level of Muslimhood, whether it be Muslim organisations, or diplomatic assurances of support and unity of brotherhood, or a casual promise to meet tomorrow, our actions are far from our intent.

It is often commented that keeping promises is a part of simple ethics and there is no need to bring Islam into the concept. Anyone who thinks so is probably unaware of the difference between Muslims and the rest of the world. Muslims are supposed to be bound by the belief that they shall return to God and are accountable for whatever they have done in this life, for their real life begins after this one ends. A Muslim will, therefore, go through life with a code of ethics that will demand justification for their deeds in front of God. And thus, each will be asked as to why they broke their promise, umpteen times at umpteen places, to umpteen people and to God Himself. One should, therefore, think many times before making promises, about whether one shall be able to fulfil them or not.

It has become a habit to make promises to do something or be somewhere and break such promises easily. One such example is our promise to be at a given place at a given time, including at ceremonies. Guests often arrive at an occasion hours later than the time of invitation.

The other side of hypocrisy is sycophancy. Sycophants tell lies; they exaggerate and often create larger-than-life images of whoever’s virtues they extol, and defend the most appalling statement, policy or act as something that is beneficial for the people.

Two such examples are the bloated expenditure of government officials in the wake of the current economic crisis in Pakistan, and the repression of human rights in the country. Promises made to defend democracy and human dignity are brought to naught.

The ever-increasing tide of extreme religiosity, demonstrated so ably in devising intricate ways to prove the ‘Islamic’ nature of the state is one that is breaking each of the two types of promises: to God and to each other. Hypocrites and sycophants are aplenty and seldom it is that a promise is seen to have been made and fulfilled.

Promises are a serious matter. If only we, as a nation, could understand this.

The writer is an individual contributor with an interest in religion.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024