13 Importance of Keeping Promise in Islam

Involving in a conversation is a natural thing in everyday life. We exchange words with one another and often ended up making promise. Islam never forbid a Muslims to make promise as long as he is keeping his words. The importance of keeping your words in Islam shows loyalty, one qualities that every Muslim should possess. Unless someone is in special circumstances that make him unable to keep his words, he must be keeping the promise at all costs.

A Muslim who stays true to his words should be given the highest commend. It is a quality that define the highest of human virtues. Keeping promise or staying true to the words may be simple but many people are unable to do it. Thus, we should not make promise which we know it will hard or impossible for us to fulfill. Islam is a religion that made it obligatory for Muslim to keep his words.

Here are some of the importance of keeping your words in Islam.

1. To Avoid Being a Hypocrite

Hypocrisy is the worst of human and a good Muslim would not define himself as hypocrite as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said below:

“There are four characteristics, whoever has them all is a pure hypocrite: when he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, when he makes a covenant he betrays it, and when he disputes he resorts to obscene speech. Whoever has one of them has one of the characteristics of hypocrisy, until he gives it up.” (Bukhari)

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2. It is Obligatory

“and fulfill the Covenant of Allah.” (6:152)

Keeping the words and fulfilling promise is highly important and made as an obligation by the Quran.

“ …. and fulfill (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). ” (17:34)

3. Unable to Keep Promise is Haraam

The law of keeping promise has been set clear by the Quran.

“Those who fulfil the Covenant of Allâh and break not the Mîthâq (bond, treaty, covenant).” (13:20)

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4. It Brings Many Benefits

Allah SWT has promised tremendous benefits for those who fulfill their promises. Not only in the worlds but also in Hereafter. A stable and righteous society is among the benefits.

5. To Attain Taqwa

Taqwa to Allah SWT is an obligation for Muslims. Attain taqwa through one of the biggest means: keeping your words.

“Yes, whoever fulfils his pledge and fears Allâh much; verily, then Allâh loves those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).” (3:76)

6. Maintain Peace in the World

Keeping promise and stay true to the words brings many goodness to social life. It provided society with security and prevent the war, protecting people’s right.

“But if they seek your help in religion, it is your duty to help them except against a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, and Allâh is the All-Seer of what you do.” (8:72)

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7. A Mean to Enter Paradise

Paradise should be the final destination for all living Muslims in the world. By keeping the promise, one’s bad deeds will be expiated and able to gain admittance to Jannah.

“…and fulfill (your obligations to) My Covenant (with you) so that I fulfill (My Obligations to) your covenant (with Me).” (2:40)

8. Avoid the Hatred of Allah SWT

Keeping your words helps you to avoid hatred of Allah SWT and proving the faith in Him.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever breaks the covenant of a Muslim, upon him be the curse of Allah, the angels and all the people, and Allah will not accept any obligatory or naafil act of worship from him.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

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9. Avoid the Label As Betrayer

Someone who unable to keep his words will be labeled as betrayer and Allah will let everyone know about it. It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar (RA) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Allah will set up a banner for the betrayer on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said: This is the betrayer of So and so.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

10. To Make Allah Happy

To gain Allah blessing and seek for His pleasure is one purpose of human creation in the world. Allah will be happy to someone who keeps his promise.

‘Ali has said to Malik al Ashtar: “Breaking promises makes others unhappy as also Allah will be unhappy.”

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11. Highly Praised in the Quran

Allah SWT highly praised a Muslim who keeps his words through the verse below in the Quran:

“Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants” (23:8)

12. Maintain the Social Order

The social order should be maintained in a good condition by the people within. Once it got screwed, there will be no longer peace in the world. Keeping the promise helps maintain the social order while breaking it will destroy.

Also read: Prohibition of Begging in Islam

13. Make Someone to be Careful with Their Words

Because breaking promise is haram in Islam, all Muslim should be careful with their words and not making promise so easily whenever he wants.

As a good Muslim, we should really consider the importance of keeping your words in Islam and take it to the deepest heart. We have to be the best Muslim we could by learning this one quality in everyday lives. The explanation above teaches us how we should be taking lightly of the words we said by our own mouth. As we never know that somebody may suffer because we unable to keep our words.