Trust and integrity of character in Islam

One of the most impressive features of Islamic teachings is its firm emphasis on the development of trust and integrity in the human character, so that all men become trustworthy in their relationships, both with their Creator and with their fellow human beings. The depth and the extent of these teachings demonstrates the importance placed in the Quran on this beautiful and important facet of the human character to all of us.

Here I remember the story of our Prophet Mohammad (Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him), before his migration to the City of Madina. He was known in Makkah for his trustworthiness and integrity of character, so much so that he was titled as the ‘Al-Ameen’  (the most trustworthy person), by both the believers and his opponents equally. Before his migration he called upon his son in law, Ali ibn Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), and showed him that many people had entrusted him with their precious personal items for safe-keeping so that Ali may return them.

The Quran speaks to us in many contexts on the importance of trust and trustworthiness, showing it to be an essential element necessary for the development of a decent human society, and in creating the best environment for ensuring peaceful relationships between peoples.

The Quran says: ‘Indeed Allah commands you to render back your trust to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people that you judge with justice. Verily how excellent is the teaching which He gives you. For Allah is He Who hears and sees all things’. S4 V58

Trust is a comprehensive all-encompassing concept in Islam, not restricted to any physical items or goods that have been entrusted with someone but  going far beyond the boundaries of physical objects. It covers, in brief, all rights, responsibilities and other acts and commitments that an individual person has towards any other human being, that need to be delivered and fulfilled.

In Islam it is usually explained that two types of rights are regarded as most the essential:  the rights towards God and the rights towards our fellow human beings, both of which create responsibilities and commitments. All of us are accountable for these rights and we will be questioned how well or badly we have delivered them. They are what make people trustworthy, honest and committed in their lives.  

To understand the comprehensive meaning of trust let us go through some of the following hadith of the prophet.

In a hadith narrated by imam Ahmad, the prophet said: ‘A person has no faith (Imaan) if he is not trustworthy and a person has no religious commitment who does not keep to his pledge and pacts’.

So a Faith in God and religious commitments can only be achieved through demonstrating personal traits of trust and commitment.

In another hadith, narrated in the books of Imam Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet says: ‘each one of you is a keeper and each one of you would be questioned on what he was made responsible to keep. A leader is a keeper and he would be questioned about his responsibility. A man is the keeper of his household and he would be questioned on his responsibility. A wife is responsible for her husband’s house and would be questioned on her commitments. A servant is responsible about the possessions of its owner and would be questioned about its upkeep’.

This hadith reveals the widest and most comprehensive meaning of trust in Islam. It includes every sphere of human life, from the leadership of the country, to perhaps what some would regard as the lowest strata of society, the servant.

In another hadith, the Prophet says, highlighting the role of trust in everyday life and through mutual commitments: ‘the religion is all about dealings’. In other words, how we deal with other people is what usually decides how dedicated we are in our religious commitments and in maintaining the rights of God and rights of all fellow human beings.

From this trait of trustworthiness springs all other important human character traits, for instance, truthfulness. People lie because they were unwilling, or were unable, to fulfil their commitments towards God and their fellow human beings.

 Muslims who are not totally committed towards the fulfilment of these rights, may be seen as treacherous and as betrayers of trust. They also fail to commit themselves to God’s teachings, and are only following the whims and desires of their false characters in the name of Islam.

Islam teaches and presents us with a comprehensive personal development package containing everything we need to become truly committed Muslims.  Just acquiring a 'Muslim' name and  living in a private shell of our own desires, seemingly unaffected by what we do, does not qualify us to be called a Muslim.     

A softer and gentler approach to Islam

Since the horror of 9/11 hardly a day goes by without another incident being reported in the news portraying Islam in a negative manner.  Passionate and emotional arguments, for and against Islam, are expressed   frequently, and sometimes reach a level verging on insanity. Any sensible or fruitful outcome is lost in the fog of polarisation displayed by the opposing agendas, whilst serenity or well-intended debate is rarely, if ever displayed.

The invasion of Afghanistan by Soviet Russia in 1977, and the consequent mobilisation of defending forces in the name of religion, instead of being regarded as a national obligation for the defence of their country by its citizens, forced Islam, as a religion, into a minefield of exploitative politics by those little concerned for the welfare of Islam. In addition, many Muslim scholars frequently danced to the tunes of their political leaders in order to earn political favour, in the hope that they could, as a result, focus the limelight on their religious power. Their actions then, and now, failed dismally, and only resulted in Islam becoming the scapegoat in the catastrophic events which inevitably followed.

Ironically, when Muslim responses to an arising situation are seen as necessary, and where the ‘big political decisions affecting the lives of global Muslim community’, are crucial, it is mostly extremist fringe groups who are seen to react. Many of these groups have a single minded approach and self-interpreting philosophies on certain important theological issues.  When coupled with religious fervour and all its accompanying propaganda, the result, inevitably, is extreme violence. In my opinion, Islam is the last and least item of concern in the collective minds of most of these groups. Opportunism and political short-sightedness, irrespective of any positive and viable outcome, form the basis of the characters of such people.

While a few may achieve what they regard as glory as a result of their violence, far more innocent men, women, elderly and children, will become the suffering victims of their and someone else's political games.

Islam's teachings are based on solid principles and tenets of Faith that invite people to the path of their Lord on the basis of understanding, conviction, love, mercy, affection, compassion and gentle character.

Islam demands a total submission to the most Wise and Dominant Will of the Creator Allah the Almighty. He requires and rewards people who engage in establishing peace, justice and fair treatment of others. Allah abhors and punishes those who indulge in the mistreatment of anyone, Muslims or non-Muslims, because that is against the universal divine principles of fairness and justice for all.

Yes, there should be a wider public awareness of the situation adversely affecting the well-being of the global or geographical Muslim community. However, that must come most effectively from education if we are to create a better future for all.  Muslims must take positive action to better their, their family's' and their community's, lives. Indulging in political anarchy and forcing people to submit to it by the sword, the bullet and threats, will never create viable, desirable or positive outcomes. Remember - all of us are responsible for ourselves and our actions.

Unfortunately, Muslims, as yet, do not appear to be able to bring any positive, coordinated and strategically beneficial approach to the thought process urgently needed for the well-being of the world-wide Muslim community. It appears that more people are willing to destroy any already established and working approaches to our problems than are willing to build on them. From my own experience, locally, there are those with no Islamic qualifications at all, possessing obvious personal agendas and ambitions detrimental to Islam, who see themselves as the leaders of the religion  and who interpret the Quranic verses as they wish. These people appear ready to go to any lengths in the defamation of their perceived opponents. Threats are used, and only the temporary lack of swords and bullets distinguishes them from their counterparts abroad.  

Islam and Islamic teachings are building blocks and not tools of destruction with which to cause havoc in the world. We need to re-introduce the peace- loving aspects of Islam and cooperate with everyone else willing to do so.

The Prophet, Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him, said: ‘indeed, Allah is gentle and loves gentleness. He grants through gentle attitudes what He does not grant with violence or with anything else’.

Indeed, Allah the Almighty guides us in the Quran saying: ‘Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel evil with what is the better. Then will he between whom and thee was animosity, become an intimate friend. And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint and none but the persons of the greatest good fortune’. S41V34-35

With a further warning that it might not be the most tempting option for many, the verse that follows reminds us saying: ‘and if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to you by the Satan, seek refuge in Allah, He is the One Who hears and knows all things’.

The Question is - why does this kind of Quranic guidance not become part of our strategic thinking in every aspect of our lives, including political and religious ones? A question we need to ponder!