How To Maintain Trustworthiness in Islam?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yaqti

Question

What are the most important ways to maintain trustworthiness in Islam?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the Master of the Messengers, his Family, and all his Companions.

The Significance of Trustworthiness in Islam

Trustworthiness, which is the opposite of betrayal in all matters—whether material or moral—is one of the greatest qualities of believers. Therefore, it is essential to uphold and preserve it.

This can be achieved through several steps and methods, such as recognizing its importance, status, and virtue through the relevant religious texts, linking it to faith and religion (as there is no religion for the one who is untrustworthy), and connecting it to honesty in all dealings and circumstances.

Additionally, it is important to raise children to embody and acquire trustworthiness from a young age and to continuously monitor them in this regard. And Allah knows best.

Here is the detailed answer:

The Definition and Scope of Trustworthiness

The root of the word “security” (أَمْن) is the tranquility of the soul and the removal of fear. The term “trustworthiness” (الأمانة) is derived from the verb “amina” (أَمِنَ) – with the kasra (i.e., the short vowel “i”) – meaning “to be trustworthy.” It is the opposite of betrayal and refers to everything entrusted to a person, whether it be religious obligations or other responsibilities, such as acts of worship or deposits. Trustworthiness includes one’s family and wealth, as Allah (Most High) says:

“O believers! Do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts knowingly.” [Quran, 8:27], meaning: do not betray what you have been entrusted with.

And He (Most High) also says:

“Indeed, We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they (all) declined to bear it, being fearful of it. But humanity assumed it, (for) they are truly wrongful (to themselves) and ignorant (of the consequences).” [Quran, 33:72]

In Lisan al-‘Arab, it is mentioned: “Trustworthiness refers to obedience, worship, deposits, trust, and security, and there are hadiths about each of these aspects.” [Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-‘Arab, Zabidi, Taj al-‘Arus]

Ways to Maintain Trustworthiness in Islam

Maintaining trustworthiness in Islam can be achieved through the following means:

Recognizing the Importance of Trustworthiness

This can be done by reflecting on the Quranic verses and Prophetic hadith that command the fulfillment of trusts, encourage adopting this virtue, and highlight its significance and the esteemed position of those who embody it. Conversely, these texts also warn against neglecting trustworthiness, being lenient with it, or engaging in betrayal, and the consequences of resembling those who do so.

Allah (Most High) says:

“Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners; and when you judge between people, judge with fairness. What a noble commandment from Allah to you! Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” [Quran, 4:58]

Allah (Most High) also describes the traits of the successful believers:

“(The believers are also) those who are true to their trusts and covenants.” [Quran, 23:8]

Imam Tabari explains this verse as follows: “Allah (Most High) says: ‘(The believers are also) those who are true to their trusts’—which they have been entrusted with—and ‘and covenants’—which are the covenants they have made with people—‘are true,’ meaning that they are careful to preserve and fulfill them.”

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, as narrated by Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him):

“The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays the trust.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

In another narration: “Even if he fasts, prays, and claims to be a Muslim.” [Muslim]

Linking Trustworthiness to Faith

Neglecting trustworthiness is tantamount to neglecting faith, as mentioned in many religious texts. For instance:

Anas Ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“No one is a believer who is not trustworthy, and no one is religious who does not keep his promises.” [Ahmad, Ibn Abi Shayba, Bazzar, and others]

Anas also narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“A believer is one from whom people feel safe, and a Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe. A migrant is one who abandons evil. By Him in Whose hand is my soul, a servant does not enter Paradise if his neighbor is not safe from his harm.” [Ahmad]

Connecting Trustworthiness with Honesty

Bayhaqi narrated that Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (Allah be pleased with him) once addressed the people, praised Allah, and said:

“The wisest of the wise is the one who fears Allah, and the most foolish of the foolish is the one who indulges in immorality. Know that honesty, in my view, is trustworthiness, and lying is betrayal. Know that the strong person, in my view, is weak until I take the right from him, and the weak person is strong until I secure his right for him…” [Bayhaqi, al-Sunan al-Kubra]

Instilling Trustworthiness in Children from an Early Age

This involves nurturing children to adopt the virtue of trustworthiness and monitoring them even as they grow older. An example of this is the night of the Hijra when the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) left Ali (Allah be pleased with him) in his place to return the trusts to their rightful owners. Numerous hadiths and incidents support this, such as:

Anas Ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

“I served the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) for ten years, and he never struck me, insulted me, scolded me, or even frowned at me. The first thing he advised me was: ‘O my son, keep my secrets, and you will be a believer.’ My mother and the wives of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to ask me about the secrets of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), but I would not inform them of anything. I will never disclose the secrets of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) to anyone, ever.” [Abu Ya‘la]

Conclusion

Know that trustworthiness is a significant virtue in this religion, distinguishing believers from hypocrites. We must uphold this virtue in all matters related to this world and the religion, whether in our relationship with Allah (Most High) or with others, in material matters like deposits and trusts, or in moral obligations like fulfilling responsibilities, keeping promises, and safeguarding secrets, as explained above. And Allah is the One who grants success.

Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Abdul Sami‘ al-Yaqti