Allah Subuhana wa Ta’ala says in chapter Muminon.. Successful indeed are the believers
… These are indeed the inheritors.. Who shall inherit Firdaws. (Those who are faithfully
true to their Amanat and to their covenants) When they are entrusted with something,
they do not betray that trust, but they fulfill it, and when they make a promise
or make a pledge, they are true to their word.
In a hadith Rasoolullah Sallalahu alaihi wasalaam said: - Hadith
collected by Al-Baihaqi
"The first thing that will be lost from your religion is trust,
and the last thing to be lost will be the Prayer. You will see people from amongst
you praying, but they will receive no reward for it."
Amanah is the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties that Allah
SWT has ordained, but unfortunately people limited it to giving people their financial
rights back, which is a big misunderstanding of this great matter.
It is noticed that some of us may not take the Amanah or the responsibility in the
manner it should be taken, some may take it in a light manner such that it is not
the centre of their attention and highest priority in their mind.
Therefore it is necessary to clarify the meaning of the Amanah, the importance of
fulfilling it, the consequences of betraying it and how should it practically manifest.
The Amanah means the trust or responsibility. It has been mentioned in relating
to many issues such as keeping a promise, keeping the private affairs of someone
to yourself and the like. However, the root meaning which we are concerned with
today is the responsibilities.
I. The covenant which Allah took upon His servants
I. The highest and most sublime/inspiring kind of amanah is the covenant which Allah
took upon His servants. Since the creation of human race that they worship Him and
associate none with Him, as He SWT said (7:172):
And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from their loins -
their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], "Am
I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we have testified." [This] – Lest(in
case) you should say on the day of Resurrection, "Indeed, we were of this unaware."
For this kind of trust, all the Prophet and Messengers were sent, and all the Divine
Books were revealed. This trust implies that Allah SWT, is the Owner of supreme
authority. He is the one Who is not responsible before anyone, and Who brings others
to account, as he said (21:23): He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while
they will be questioned
II. Another meaning of amanah is taklif that is, charging man with the responsibility
of worship and submission to Allah’s orders and prohibitions.
This is not an easy trust. It is more difficult that to be born by heavens, earth,
and mountains, as He SWT said (33:72):
Indeed, we offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and
they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed,
he was unjust and ignorant.
Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas RA said, "Al-Amanah means Al-Fara`id
(the obligatory duties). Allah offered them to the heavens and the earth and the
mountains, (on the basis that) if they fulfilled them, He would reward them; and
if they failed, He would punish them. But they did not want to do that, and they
were afraid of it, not because their intention was sinful, but because of their
respect for the religion of Allah, in case they could not fulfill the obligations
involved. Then Allah offered it to Adam, and he accepted it with all that it entailed/demanded.
(But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust and ignorant. ) meaning, he underestimated
the command of Allah.`
People consider amanah in very limited meaning. In Islam, amanah has very extensive
and unlimited meaning. This is a duty that every Muslim should advice and reminds
each other. The companion of Muhammad p used to say I pray to Allâh swt for your
deen, amanah and to perform best task.
Prophet Muhammad always reminded people during his khutbah that a person does not
have faith if he does not have amanah, a person does not have deen if he does not
keep his promises.
The Result of taking on the Amanah
In chapter Al-Ahzaab, Allah SWT says: (So that Allah will punish the hypocrites,
men and women, and the men and women who are idolaters who associate partners with
Allah and go against His messengers.) meaning, because the sons of Adam have undertaken
to fulfill the Amanah, (which means duties), Allah will punish the men and women
among them who are hypocrites, and those who associate partners with Allah. Those
who commit shirk.
But Allah SWT forgives His believers.
(And Allah will pardon the believers, men and women.) Meaning, He will show mercy
to the believers among mankind, who believe in Allah and in His angels, Books and
Messengers, and who obey Him. (And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.)
III. There is another kind of amanah that must be observed on the part of those
who administer an Islamic government, positions or with some authority.
One of the meanings of amanah is to choose right people for the right position.
The responsible positions are trust and it must be handed over to right people.
It is reprehensible/wrong that the candidates for political or administrative offices
should praise themselves to get their jobs, or degrade their opponents.
Abdu-rahman ibn samurah reported the Prophet SAW as saying:
You will be eager to seek governorship. But it will be a source of regret on the
Day of Judgment. How good and sweet it appears, and how bad is in the long run (Bukhari)
The Prophet SAW again mention to the same companion:
O’Abdu-Rahman, son of Samurah! Do not ask for governorship or a position. For if
you are appointed to it on account of your own desire, you will be left alone unaided
by Allah. But if you are charged with it without asking for it, Allah will help
you and guide you in your administration.
Dear Muslim, This doesn’t mean to do nothing but it explains the consequence to
taking the leadership.
Brothers & Sisters, As you know, Abu Dharr al-Gifari was a very close and beloved
companion to the Prophet SAW, but The Prophet SAW did not appoint him to any administrative
job. He once said to him:
O Abu-Dharr! I see that you are a very sensitive man; and I like for you what I
like for myself. So do not make yourself a chief even over two men, and do not administer
the property of an orphan.
At the same time, Prophet SAW once said about Aba-Dharr that..
“The earth does not carry nor do the heavens cover a man more true and faithful
than Abu Dharr”
The reason behind this NASEEHA..is clear that, Rasulullah doesn’t want abu-dahr
(or person like him) is humiliated in day of judgment.
Once Abu dhur asked PROPHET for a position, He replied O’ abudhur you are weak, the
responsibility is amanah, this will be a cause for humiliation on Day of Judgment
and only those will be saved who has taken it rightfully and perfected it. (Muslim)
It is clear that knowledge, piety, and faith are not enough until the person has
the talent to perform certain specific task. If wrong people are chosen, they will
not be able to perform the task right but also abuse their authority.
The nations where trusts are broken, the responsibilities become pleasure and amusement,
talented people lose their value, weak and dull people take the charge, and those
nations are on the path of destruction.
A person asked prophet SAW about the sign of qiyamah (the last day) he replied “when
amanah will be destroyed, then wait for qiyamah, person asked what it meant by destruction
of amanah, He P said – the responsibilities are given to weak and irresponsible
people then wait for qiyamah.
Those who are in the prime responsibility of political rule or administration of
justice are committed to a sacred amanah (trust). Allah SWT says (4:58):
Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge
between people to judge with justice . Excellent is that which Allah instructs you.
Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.
Malik ibn Yasir reported as Rasulullah SAW said: Any ruler or governor on Muslims
dies while is deemed deceitful and dishonest to them but Allah will prohibit him
Al-Jannah -paradise (Biukhari)
The common meaning of amanah is the trust among people concerning the honor and
property of each other. It is sufficient here to mention that Allah SWT, stated
that unfaithfulness to the people’s honor and property is just like unfaithfulness
to Allah and His Messenger. Allah SWT
O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His Messenger, nor betray knowingly your
Amanat (i.e. things entrusted to you) And know that your possessions and your children
are but a trial and that surely, with Allâh is a mighty reward .
Brothers & Sisters, Our wealth is trust don’t miss use it… Our children are
trust..Make sure you raise them well; give them the right education,
Our senses and whole bodies are the trust of Allah with us. They are belonging to
their Creator. One of the major sins in Islam is to take our own lives. So
Do not kill yourselves.
Our sights are Amana, and we must use them in their right way by not looking to
illegal scenes.
Our hearing is Amana, and we must not misuse it in listening to gossip, backbiting,
or slander. And such is the case with every part of our body.
I ask Allah SWT to guide us to the right path. May Allah make us like His pious
servants who lived up to the sacred trusts committed to them.
May Allah preserve us against the temptations of evil and shaithaan’s whispers,
and make good for us in this life and in the hereafter.
May Allah forgive us, and cover our faults, and show us the light of His mercy and
guidance. ameen..