In the article entitled Honesty, we discussed how important the concept of honesty is to Islam and how it incorporates truthfulness and reliability.  Another dimension of honesty is trustworthiness, or in Arabic, amanah.  The meaning of amanah is trustworthiness, or, it is something or someone left to someone to protect or keep.  The opposite of amanah is betrayal or even treason.  That is, to fail to keep the trust or amanah in the way the person who left it expected or wanted.

Trustworthiness further enhances the integrity and sound moral conduct that is inherent in the notion of honesty.  Being trustworthy implies being honest, fair in dealings and punctual (in terms of both regularity and timeliness) as well as honouring trusts and keeping promises and commitments.  An important part of the noble Islamic character is being trustworthy.  Prophet Muhammad was known, even before his Prophethood to be Al Amin (the trustworthy one).

While the qualities of honesty and trustworthiness are inextricably entwined, there are slight differences.  Honesty implies a lack of deceit while trustworthiness entails honouring and fulfilling commitments, promises, trusts and covenants.  It covers moral, social, legal and religious obligations.  Being truthful in promises and covenants is one of the characteristics by which the believers are known.  Both promises and covenants involve saying something about an issue to confirm that you will uphold the trust.  This is especially so with regard to one's duties towards God.  God praises the believers by promising them Paradise,

“Those who are faithfully true to their amanah (all the duties which God has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts, etc.) and to their covenants...these indeed are the inheritors.  Who shall inherit Paradise.  And dwell therein forever” (Quran 23:8, 23:10-11)

Trust, and being worthy of another’s trust, is inherent in being one who is submitted to the will of God.  When God appointed Adam (the father of mankind) as successor on earth,  it was a trust incumbent upon all of mankind.  When God created us as individuals for worshipping Him, it became a trust incumbent upon us to nourish[1]  ourselves and our families in a way that enables worship.

In Islam, every believer is a brother or sister to the other; we are one body, one nation.  The right hand must be able to trust the left hand.  The commands and rules from God are designed for our benefit and Islam holds people’s rights in high esteem.  The systematic arrangement of guidelines and regulations is intended to uphold the rights Islam gives to the believers and to minimise vice and corruption.  Islam strongly condemns the violation of God-given rights.  When God commands us to keep the trust, to be trustworthy, it is not a matter to be taken lightly.

Prophet Muhammad explained the seriousness of upholding the rights due to others when he said, “God says, ‘There are three people whom I shall be their opponent on the Day of Judgment: A man who was given something in My Name and then betrays; A man who sells-off a free man (as a slave) and consumes the price; and A man who hires a labourer, makes use of his service then does not give him his wages.’” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari).  God says in the Quran,

“Verily, God does command you to render back your Trusts to whom they are due.” (Quran 4:58)

In the past God dealt severely with people who were dishonest and did not honour their trusts.  The people of Midian had developed unfair and corrupt business practices and Prophet Shuaib was instructed to warn them of God’s displeasure.

“He said, “O my people!  Worship God, you have no other god but Him, and give not short measure or weight, I see you in prosperity; and verily I fear for you the torment of a Day encompassing.  And O my people!  Give full measure and weight in justice and reduce not the things that are due to the people, and do not commit mischief in the land, causing corruption.  That which is left by God for you (after giving the rights of the people) is better for you, if you are believers.” (Quran 11:85-86)

After Prophet Shuaib issued his warning and the people chose to belittle and ignore him the promise of God was shown to be true.  God is the most Just, the Most Wise and He is the Ultimate Trustee, the One who can be relied upon to fulfil His promises.

“And when Our Commandment came, We saved Shuaib and those who believed with him by a Mercy from Us.  And a torment (or awful cry) seized the wrongdoers, and they lay (dead) prostrate in their homes.” (Quran 11:94)

Reliability, honesty and trustworthiness are characteristics that must be present in anyone who claims to be a believer.  The sayings of Prophet Muhammad indicate that dishonesty and betrayal are completely at odds with the Islamic faith.  Prophet Muhammad informed us that “A hypocrite is known by three traits: When he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he reneges; when he is entrusted, he cheats (or embezzles).” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)

When Abu Ubayda was the commander of the Muslim armies in Syria, the Emperor of Byzantium set out with a large army to recapture Hims.  Abu ‘Ubaida decided to evacuate the city because he had only a handful of soldiers.  He gathered the people of Hims in the middle of the city and announced, “We collected the protection tax from you because we planned to defend you.  Now we are too weak.  In this case, we return the tax we collected.”  All the taxes collected were returned to the non-Muslim people of Hims.  Such was the depth of feeling and understanding displayed by the early Muslims.  They were constantly aware of their obligations towards  God, their brothers and sisters and those who were under the protection of the Muslim armies.

Trustworthiness is a quality that is essential if a society is to function as one unit, bearing in mind the needs and aspirations of all its citizens.  The Muslim nation should be one unit, one nation.  All members of this brotherhood should be able to stand before God knowing that he is safe and secure in the company of one who is trustworthy.  From the lowliest peasant to the mightiest king all are equal, the only thing that makes one member of the unit better than the other is his piety or righteousness.  Amongst the many qualities that blend together to make righteousness, is trustworthiness.

God created human beings to worship Him and a practising Muslim in, essence, should be able to worship God in every second, of every hour of every day.  Islam is a way of life and it means nothing more, or less, than submission to the One God.

“And I (God) created not the jinn and humans except they should worship Me Alone.” (Quran 51:56)

The concept of God in Islam describes Him as the most Merciful and the most Loving and whatever He prescribes for humankind is in the best interest of humankind.  Submission to the will of God is a pathway to purity, to peace and ultimately to Paradise.

The word Quran most frequently uses to describe worship is Ibadah.  Ibadah is the root of the word ‘ubudiyyah, which means to express ones humility or humbleness, and as with most Arabic words there are many shades of meaning.  Ibadah involves more then an awareness of humility.  It is the complete sense of humbleness that overcomes one who is totally submitted to the will of God, the Almighty.  Worship is submission to God, the essential part of submission is humility.

“So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).” (Quran 15:98)

Humility can guide us to Paradise, just as its opposite, arrogance, kibr in Arabic, can only lead us into Hell.  It is Satan’s arrogance that caused his expulsion from Paradise; when he refused to humbly obey God’s command and prostrate before Adam, the father of mankind, he condemned himself and his followers to Hell.  Satan’s lack of submission, or humility, resulted in one of the most pious of God’s creatures falling into the abyss.[1]

Except Satan, he refused to be among the prostrators.  God said, 'O Satan!  What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?  ‘Satan said: 'I am not the one to prostrate myself to a human being, whom You created from sounding clay...” (Quran 15:30-35)

No one who behaves arrogantly or who acts as if he or she has power over others is capable of true submission.  All power and strength is from God Alone.  All human beings are equal in the sight of God and the distinctions between nations, tribes, and families are only to know each other and not for the sake pride.

“O mankind!  We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.  Verily, the most honourable of you with God is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa (God consciousness).  Verily, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Quran 49:15)

Humility is Piety

The main pillar of worship, Ibadah, is the prayer.  The congregational prayer  is performed in rows where all men stand before God as equals.[2]  There is no special place for the rich or powerful, the meek and poor are not relegated to the back lines.  Each man bows his head in humility knowing that his brothers, on either side of him are equally important in the sight of God.  Only one thing raises one man or woman above another – piety.  True piety or righteousness is not achievable without cultivating a sense of humility.

“And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth.  Verily, God likes not each arrogant boaster.” (Quran 31:18)

Humility comes from knowing about God and recognising His greatness, venerating Him, loving Him and being in awe of Him; and it comes from knowing about oneself and one’s own faults, and weaknesses.  God gives this characteristic to those who struggle to become close to Him through deeds of piety and righteousness.[3]  A companion close to the Prophet Muhammad heard him say,

“Wealth does not decrease because of charity, and God increases His slave in honour when he forgives others.  And no one humbles himself before God but God will raise him (in status).” (Saheeh Muslim )

Humility is one of the greatest blessings God can bestow on a human being.  It allows one to achieve genuine submission.  Prophet Muhammad was truly submitted to God; his character was one of complete humility and based on sincere trust in God.  He was a model of kindness and humbleness.  In fact, the characteristics displayed by Prophet Muhammad were the exact opposite of pride and arrogance.  Every aspect of his life reflected humbleness, even his walking, talking, sitting or eating.

The Prophet did not behave towards others as if he was better than they were, nor did he spurn manual work.  One of his companions reported that Prophet Muhammad worked happily with servants or workers.  Other companions related that the Prophet tidied his house, tied camels, feed animals, ate meals with his servants, and helped them in kneading dough and bringing provisions from the market.  It was also reported that he used to visit the sick, attend funerals, ride on a donkey, slow down his pace for the sake of the weak and accept invitations from the poor.

The companions of Prophet Muhammad and the early generations of Muslims understood the concept of humility.  They behaved humbly towards God and mankind because of their love for God, and their fellow man, and fear of punishment in the Hereafter.

During his Caliphate, Omar ibn Al Khattab was marching upon Damascus with his army.  Abu Ubayda was with him.  They came upon a little lake.  Omar descended from his camel, took off his shoes, tied them together, and hung them on his shoulder.  He then took the halter off his camel and they entered the water together.  Seeing this in front of the army, Abu Ubayda said, “O Commander of the Believers! How can you be so humble in front of all your men?”  Omar answered, “Woe to you, Abu Ubayda!  If only anyone else other than you thought this way!  Thoughts like this will cause the downfall of the Muslims.  Don't you see we were indeed a very lowly people?  God raised us to a position of honour and greatness through Islam.  If we forget who we are and wish other than the Islam which elevated us, the One who raised us surely will debase us.”

The one who is truly humble is the one who is truly blessed.  Every time he feels superior to others, he remembers God, the Most Great and Omnipotent, and humbles himself in true submission.

“And the slaves of God are those who walk on the earth in humility and calmness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness.” (Quran 25:63)