Quran Verses about Keeping promises
Allah commands the believers to fulfil their promises and contracts, both to Allah and to people, for every promise will be asked about. The verses praise those who keep their word and fulfil their vows, condemn those who break promises or use oaths to deceive, explain the expiation for oaths, and command that treaties with others be honoured as long as they honour them.
The command to fulfil promises and contracts
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعُقُودِۚ أُحِلَّتۡ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ إِلَّا مَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ غَيۡرَ مُحِلِّي ٱلصَّيۡدِ وَأَنتُمۡ حُرُمٌۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحۡكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ ١
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū awfū bil-ʿuqūd, uḥillat lakum bahīmatul-anʿāmi illā mā yutlā ʿalaykum ghayra muḥilliṣ-ṣaydi wa antum ḥurum, innallāha yaḥkumu mā yurīd.
O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.1 Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur’ān] - hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of iḥrām.2 Indeed, Allāh ordains what He intends.
Footnotes (2)
- Which includes promises, covenants, oaths, etc.
- The state of ritual consecration for ḥajj or ʿumrah.
وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَمِيثَٰقَهُ ٱلَّذِي وَاثَقَكُم بِهِۦٓ إِذۡ قُلۡتُمۡ سَمِعۡنَا وَأَطَعۡنَاۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ ٧
Wadhkurū niʿmatallāhi ʿalaykum wamīthāqahul-ladhī wāthaqakum bihī idh qultum samiʿnā wa aṭaʿnā, wattaqullāh, innallāha ʿalīmum bidhātiṣ-ṣudūr.
And remember the favor of Allāh upon you and His covenant with which He bound you when you said, "We hear and we obey"; and fear Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts.
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡكَيۡلَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۖ وَإِذَا قُلۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡدِلُواْ وَلَوۡ كَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰۖ وَبِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡفُواْۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ ١٥٢
Wa lā taqrabū mālal-yatīmi illā bil-latī hiya aḥsanu ḥattā yablugha ashuddah, wa awful-kayla wal-mīzāna bil-qisṭ, lā nukallifu nafsan illā wusʿahā, wa idhā qultum faʿdilū wa law kāna dhā qurbā, wabiʿahdillāhi awfū, dhālikum waṣṣākum bihī laʿallakum tadhakkarūn.
And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best [i.e., intending improvement] until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you speak [i.e., testify], be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allāh fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.
وَأَوۡفُواْ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا عَٰهَدتُّمۡ وَلَا تَنقُضُواْ ٱلۡأَيۡمَٰنَ بَعۡدَ تَوۡكِيدِهَا وَقَدۡ جَعَلۡتُمُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ كَفِيلًاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ ٩١
Wa awfū biʿahdillāhi idhā ʿāhadttum wa lā tanquḍul-aymāna baʿda tawkīdihā wa qad jaʿaltumullāha ʿalaykum kafīlā, innallāha yaʿlamu mā tafʿalūn.
And fulfill the covenant of Allāh when you have taken it, [O believers], and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allāh, over you, a security [i.e., witness]. Indeed, Allāh knows what you do.
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعَهۡدِۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَهۡدَ كَانَ مَسۡـُٔولٗا ٣٤
Wa lā taqrabū mālal-yatīmi illā bil-latī hiya aḥsanu ḥattā yablugha ashuddah, wa awfū bil-ʿahd, innal-ʿahda kāna masʾūlā.
And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best,1 until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., to improve or increase it.
Traits of those who keep their promises
۞ لَّيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَٰهَدُواْۖ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ فِي ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِۗ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ ١٧٧
Laysal-birra an tuwallū wujūhakum qibalal-mashriqi wal-maghribi wa lākinnal-birra man āmana billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhiri wal-malāʾikati wal-kitābi wan-nabiyyīna wa ātal-māla ʿalā ḥubbihī dhawil-qurbā wal-yatāmā wal-masākīna wabnas-sabīli was-sāʾilīna wa fir-riqābi wa aqāmaṣ-ṣalāta wa ātaz-zakāta wal-mūfūna biʿahdihim idhā ʿāhadū, waṣ-ṣābirīna fil-baʾsāʾi waḍ-ḍarrāʾi wa ḥīnal-baʾs, ulāʾikal-ladhīna ṣadaqū, wa ulāʾika humul-muttaqūn.
Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allāh, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakāh; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.
بَلَىٰۚ مَنۡ أَوۡفَىٰ بِعَهۡدِهِۦ وَٱتَّقَىٰ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٧٦
Balā, man awfā biʿahdihī wattaqā fa innallāha yuḥibbul-muttaqīn.
But yes, whoever fulfills his commitment and fears Allāh - then indeed, Allāh loves those who fear Him.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ ٱلۡمِيثَٰقَ ٢٠
Al-ladhīna yūfūna biʿahdillāhi wa lā yanquḍūnal-mīthāq.
Those who fulfill the covenant of Allāh and do not break the contract,
وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِسۡمَٰعِيلَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلۡوَعۡدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولٗا نَّبِيّٗا ٥٤
Wadhkur fil-kitābi ismāʿīl, innahū kāna ṣādiqal-waʿdi wa kāna rasūlan nabiyyā.
And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِأَمَٰنَٰتِهِمۡ وَعَهۡدِهِمۡ رَٰعُونَ ٨
Wal-ladhīna hum liʾamānātihim wa ʿahdihim rāʿūn.
And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive
مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رِجَالٞ صَدَقُواْ مَا عَٰهَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيۡهِۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحۡبَهُۥ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُواْ تَبۡدِيلٗا ٢٣
Minal-muʾminīna rijālun ṣadaqū mā ʿāhadullāha ʿalayh, faminhum man qaḍā naḥbahū wa minhum may yantaẓir, wa mā baddalū tabdīlā.
Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allāh. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration -
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِأَمَٰنَٰتِهِمۡ وَعَهۡدِهِمۡ رَٰعُونَ ٣٢
Wal-ladhīna hum liʾamānātihim wa ʿahdihim rāʿūn.
And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive
The prohibition of breaking promises and abusing oaths
ٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهۡدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مِيثَٰقِهِۦ وَيَقۡطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفۡسِدُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَٰسِرُونَ ٢٧
Al-ladhīna yanquḍūna ʿahdallāhi mim baʿdi mīthāqihī wa yaqṭaʿūna mā amarallāhu bihī ay yūṣala wa yufsidūna fil-arḍ, ulāʾika humul-khāsirūn.
Who break the covenant of Allāh after contracting it and sever that which Allāh has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشۡتَرُونَ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَيۡمَٰنِهِمۡ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلًا أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَا خَلَٰقَ لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا يَنظُرُ إِلَيۡهِمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ ٧٧
Innal-ladhīna yashtarūna biʿahdillāhi wa aymānihim thamanan qalīlan ulāʾika lā khalāqa lahum fil-ākhirati wa lā yukallimuhumullāhu wa lā yanẓuru ilayhim yawmal-qiyāmati wa lā yuzakkīhim wa lahum ʿadhābun alīm.
Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allāh and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allāh will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.
۞ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ عَٰهَدَ ٱللَّهَ لَئِنۡ ءَاتَىٰنَا مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ لَنَصَّدَّقَنَّ وَلَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ ٧٥
Wa minhum man ʿāhadallāha laʾin ātānā min faḍlihī lanaṣṣaddaqanna wa lanakūnanna minaṣ-ṣāliḥīn.
And among them are those who made a covenant with Allāh, [saying], "If He should give us from His bounty, we will surely spend in charity, and we will surely be among the righteous."
فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِۦ بَخِلُواْ بِهِۦ وَتَوَلَّواْ وَّهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ ٧٦
Falammā ātāhum min faḍlihī bakhilū bihī wa tawallaw wa hum muʿriḍūn.
But when He gave them from His bounty, they were stingy with it and turned away while they refused.
فَأَعۡقَبَهُمۡ نِفَاقٗا فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يَلۡقَوۡنَهُۥ بِمَآ أَخۡلَفُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ ٧٧
Fa aʿqabahum nifāqan fī qulūbihim ilā yawmi yalqawnahū bimā akhlafullāha mā waʿadūhu wabimā kānū yakdhibūn.
So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him - because they failed Allāh in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهۡدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مِيثَٰقِهِۦ وَيَقۡطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفۡسِدُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّعۡنَةُ وَلَهُمۡ سُوٓءُ ٱلدَّارِ ٢٥
Wal-ladhīna yanquḍūna ʿahdallāhi mim baʿdi mīthāqihī wa yaqṭaʿūna mā amarallāhu bihī ay yūṣala wa yufsidūna fil-arḍi ulāʾika lahumul-laʿnatu wa lahum sūʾud-dār.
But those who break the covenant of Allāh after contracting it and sever that which Allāh has ordered to be joined and spread corruption on earth - for them is the curse, and they will have the worst home.1
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., Hell. Another meaning is (in contrast to verse 22), "...and they will have the bad consequence of [this] home," also referring to Hell.
وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّتِي نَقَضَتۡ غَزۡلَهَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَٰثٗا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيۡمَٰنَكُمۡ دَخَلَۢا بَيۡنَكُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِيَ أَرۡبَىٰ مِنۡ أُمَّةٍۚ إِنَّمَا يَبۡلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦۚ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ ٩٢
Wa lā takūnū kal-latī naqaḍat ghazlahā mim baʿdi quwwatin ankāthan tattakhidhūna aymānakum dakhalam baynakum an takūna ummatun hiya arbā min ummah, innamā yablūkumullāhu bih, wa layubayyinanna lakum yawmal-qiyāmati mā kuntum fīhi takhtalifūn.
And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community.1 Allāh only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., do not swear falsely or break a treaty or contract merely for a worldly advantage.
وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوٓاْ أَيۡمَٰنَكُمۡ دَخَلَۢا بَيۡنَكُمۡ فَتَزِلَّ قَدَمُۢ بَعۡدَ ثُبُوتِهَا وَتَذُوقُواْ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِمَا صَدَدتُّمۡ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَكُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٞ ٩٤
Wa lā tattakhidhū aymānakum dakhalam baynakum fatazilla qadamum baʿda thubūtihā wa tadhūqus-sūʾa bimā ṣadadttum ʿan sabīlillāhi wa lakum ʿadhābun ʿaẓīm.
And do not take your oaths as [means of] deceit between you, lest a foot slip after it was [once] firm, and you would taste evil [in this world] for what [people] you diverted from the way of Allāh,1 and you would have [in the Hereafter] a great punishment.
Footnotes (1)
- Referring to those who would be dissuaded from Islām as a result of a Muslim's deceit and treachery.
وَلَا تَشۡتَرُواْ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلًاۚ إِنَّمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ ٩٥
Wa lā tashtarū biʿahdillāhi thamanan qalīlā, innamā ʿindallāhi huwa khayrul lakum in kuntum taʿlamūn.
And do not exchange the covenant of Allāh for a small price. Indeed, what is with Allāh is best for you, if only you could know.
وَلَقَدۡ كَانُواْ عَٰهَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مِن قَبۡلُ لَا يُوَلُّونَ ٱلۡأَدۡبَٰرَۚ وَكَانَ عَهۡدُ ٱللَّهِ مَسۡـُٔولٗا ١٥
Wa laqad kānū ʿāhadullāha min qablu lā yuwallūnal-adbār, wa kāna ʿahdullāhi masʾūlā.
And they had already promised Allāh before not to turn their backs [i.e., flee]. And ever is the promise to Allāh [that about which one will be] questioned.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَايِعُونَكَ إِنَّمَا يُبَايِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ يَدُ ٱللَّهِ فَوۡقَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡۚ فَمَن نَّكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِهِۦۖ وَمَنۡ أَوۡفَىٰ بِمَا عَٰهَدَ عَلَيۡهُ ٱللَّهَ فَسَيُؤۡتِيهِ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا ١٠
Innal-ladhīna yubāyiʿūnaka innamā yubāyiʿūnallāha yadullāhi fawqa aydīhim, faman nakatha fa innamā yankuthu ʿalā nafsih, wa man awfā bimā ʿāhada ʿalayhullāha fasayuʾtīhi ajran ʿaẓīmā.
Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muḥammad] - they are actually pledging allegiance to Allāh. The hand1 of Allāh is over their hands.2 So he who breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that which he has promised Allāh - He will give him a great reward.
Footnotes (2)
- See footnote to 2:19.
- Meaning that He (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) accepted their pledge.
Oaths and their expiation
وَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ ٱللَّهَ عُرۡضَةٗ لِّأَيۡمَٰنِكُمۡ أَن تَبَرُّواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ وَتُصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِۚ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٞ ٢٢٤
Wa lā tajʿalullāha ʿurḍatal liʾaymānikum an tabarrū watattaqū wa tuṣliḥū baynan-nās, wallāhu samīʿun ʿalīm.
And do not make [your oath by] Allāh an excuse against being righteous and fearing Allāh and making peace among people. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
لَّا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغۡوِ فِيٓ أَيۡمَٰنِكُمۡ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ قُلُوبُكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٞ ٢٢٥
Lā yuʾākhidhukumullāhu bil-laghwi fī aymānikum wa lākiy yuʾākhidhukum bimā kasabat qulūbukum, wallāhu ghafūrun ḥalīm.
Allāh does not impose blame upon you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He imposes blame upon you for what your hearts have earned. And Allāh is Forgiving and Forbearing.1
Footnotes (1)
- Overlooking many violations, postponing penalty and granting opportunities for repentance and rectification despite having the power to punish immediately.
لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغۡوِ فِيٓ أَيۡمَٰنِكُمۡ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ ٱلۡأَيۡمَٰنَۖ فَكَفَّٰرَتُهُۥٓ إِطۡعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَٰكِينَ مِنۡ أَوۡسَطِ مَا تُطۡعِمُونَ أَهۡلِيكُمۡ أَوۡ كِسۡوَتُهُمۡ أَوۡ تَحۡرِيرُ رَقَبَةٖۖ فَمَن لَّمۡ يَجِدۡ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَٰثَةِ أَيَّامٖۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّٰرَةُ أَيۡمَٰنِكُمۡ إِذَا حَلَفۡتُمۡۚ وَٱحۡفَظُوٓاْ أَيۡمَٰنَكُمۡۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ٨٩
Lā yuʾākhidhukumullāhu bil-laghwi fī aymānikum wa lākiy yuʾākhidhukum bimā ʿaqqadttumul-aymān, fakaffāratuhū iṭʿāmu ʿasharati masākīna min awsaṭi mā tuṭʿimūna ahlīkum aw kiswatuhum aw taḥrīru raqabah, famal lam yajid faṣiyāmu thalāthati ayyām, dhālika kaffāratu aymānikum idhā ḥalaftum, waḥfaẓū aymānakum, kadhālika yubayyinullāhu lakum āyātihī laʿallakum tashkurūn.
Allāh will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless1 in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation2 is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths.3 Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses [i.e., revealed law] that you may be grateful.
Footnotes (3)
- i.e., what is sworn to only out of habit of speech or what one utters carelessly without true intent.
- i.e., that for a deliberate oath.
- i.e., do not take oaths indiscriminately or swear to do that which is sinful, requiring expiation.
قَدۡ فَرَضَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ تَحِلَّةَ أَيۡمَٰنِكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ مَوۡلَىٰكُمۡۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٢
Qad faraḍallāhu lakum taḥillata aymānikum, wallāhu mawlākum, wa huwal-ʿalīmul-ḥakīm.
Allāh has already ordained for you [Muslims] the dissolution of your oaths.1 And Allāh is your protector, and He is the Knowing, the Wise.
Footnotes (1)
- By means of a kaffārah (expiation). This is required when one is unable to fulfill an oath or when one has taken an oath which would not be pleasing to Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). See 5:89.
Treaties with others: honouring them and dealing with betrayal
ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتَّ مِنۡهُمۡ ثُمَّ يَنقُضُونَ عَهۡدَهُمۡ فِي كُلِّ مَرَّةٖ وَهُمۡ لَا يَتَّقُونَ ٥٦
Al-ladhīna ʿāhadtta minhum thumma yanquḍūna ʿahdahum fī kulli marratiw wa hum lā yattaqūn.
The ones with whom you made a treaty but then they break their pledge every time, and they do not fear Allāh.
وَإِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِن قَوۡمٍ خِيَانَةٗ فَٱنۢبِذۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡ عَلَىٰ سَوَآءٍۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡخَآئِنِينَ ٥٨
Wa immā takhāfanna min qawmin khiyānatan fanbidh ilayhim ʿalā sawāʾ, innallāha lā yuḥibbul-khāʾinīn.
If you [have reason to] fear from a people betrayal, throw [their treaty] back to them, [putting you] on equal terms.1 Indeed, Allāh does not like traitors.
Footnotes (1)
- When you see signs of treachery from those with whom you have made a treaty, announce to them its dissolution so they will know exactly where they stand.
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَنقُصُوكُمۡ شَيۡـٔٗا وَلَمۡ يُظَٰهِرُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَحَدٗا فَأَتِمُّوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡ عَهۡدَهُمۡ إِلَىٰ مُدَّتِهِمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٤
Illal-ladhīna ʿāhadttum minal-mushrikīna thumma lam yanquṣūkum shayʾaw wa lam yuẓāhirū ʿalaykum aḥadan fa atimmū ilayhim ʿahdahum ilā muddatihim, innallāha yuḥibbul-muttaqīn.
Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allāh loves the righteous [who fear Him].
كَيۡفَ يَكُونُ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ عَهۡدٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَعِندَ رَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّمۡ عِندَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِۖ فَمَا ٱسۡتَقَٰمُواْ لَكُمۡ فَٱسۡتَقِيمُواْ لَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٧
Kayfa yakūnu lil-mushrikīna ʿahdun ʿindallāhi wa ʿinda rasūlihī illal-ladhīna ʿāhadttum ʿindal-masjidil-ḥarām, famastaqāmū lakum fastaqīmū lahum, innallāha yuḥibbul-muttaqīn.
How can there be for the polytheists a treaty in the sight of Allāh and with His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty at al-Masjid al-Ḥarām? So as long as they are upright toward you,1 be upright toward them. Indeed, Allāh loves the righteous [who fear Him].
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., maintain the terms of the treaty.
Fulfilling vows
وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن نَّفَقَةٍ أَوۡ نَذَرۡتُم مِّن نَّذۡرٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُهُۥۗ وَمَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ مِنۡ أَنصَارٍ ٢٧٠
Wa mā anfaqtum min nafaqatin aw nadhartum min nadhrin fa innallāha yaʿlamuh, wa mā liẓ-ẓālimīna min anṣār.
And whatever you spend of expenditures or make of vows - indeed, Allāh knows of it. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.
ثُمَّ لۡيَقۡضُواْ تَفَثَهُمۡ وَلۡيُوفُواْ نُذُورَهُمۡ وَلۡيَطَّوَّفُواْ بِٱلۡبَيۡتِ ٱلۡعَتِيقِ ٢٩
Thummal-yaqḍū tafathahum walyūfū nudhūrahum walyaṭṭawwafū bil-baytil-ʿatīq.
Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform ṭawāf around the ancient House."
يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذۡرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوۡمٗا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسۡتَطِيرٗا ٧
Yūfūna bin-nadhri wa yakhāfūna yawman kāna sharruhū mustaṭīrā.
They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread.