Trustworthiness (3/3)

The nature of unbelief is deviation and opposition. Unbelievers see the world in darkness and feel alone in an alien world; believers see the whole universe as a cradle of brotherhood and sisterhood, and feel connected to everything.  By its nature, unbelief severs relations and, as a result, unbelievers feel enmity against everything, especially believers.  They cannot bear the believers’ existence, so they try their best to eradicate belief. That is why all Prophets encountered severe opposition and, with their followers, suffered pitiless acts of cruelty. But due  to  their  complete  confidence  in  and  perfect  reliance  on God, “they never lost heart because of what befell them in God’s Way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor were they brought low.” (Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:146).

The Messenger’s reliance on God made him fearless. He appeared in the heartland of a desert inhabited by one of the most uncivilized peoples. Despite their harsh treatment, and the strident hostility of one of his own uncles, he challenged the whole world and, through complete trust in God, carried his mission to victory. He had only a handful of supporters, and his victory came in a very short period—an unparalleled achievement. We can understand his fearless nature, which developed out of his absolute confidence in God, through the following anecdotes.

The Quraysh  were so eager to kill him that  just before his emigration  to  Madina  they  selected  one  man  from  each clan. These numbered roughly 200. Led by Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab, and then besieged his house. God’s Messenger told his cousin ‘Ali to spend the night in his bed and, throwing some dust at the hostile men while reciting: “We have put a barrier before them and behind them, and thus covered them so that they cannot see” (Surah Ya-Sin, 36:9), he departed without being seen.[1] He left Makka with his closest friend, Abu Bakr, and reached Thawr cave, which is at the top of a steep mountain. Finding him gone, the Qurayshi chiefs sent out search parties. One of these climbed the mountain up to the cave. Abu Bakr became anxious, fearing for the life of God’s Messenger. However, the latter comforted him: “Do not be anxious, for God is with us” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:40), and added: “What do you think of the two men beside whom God is the third?”[2]

As related through various channels, during the military campaigns of Ghatfan and Anmar, a courageous chieftain named Ghowras unexpectedly appeared beside God’s Messenger, who was lying under a tree. Unsheathing his sword, he asked him: “Who will save you from me now?’ “God,” the Messenger replied, and then prayed:  “O God, protect me against him as You will.” At that moment, Ghowras was knocked down and his sword slipped from his hand. God’s Messenger picked it up and asked him: “Now, who will save you from me?” Ghowras began to tremble and pleaded for his life: “You are a noble, forgiving man; only forgiveness is expected of you.” God’s Messenger forgave him, and when Ghowras returned to his tribe, he said: “I have just come from the best of humanity.”[3]

Trustworthiness is a cornerstone of belief:

“God commands you to give the trust to (the charge of) those qualified for them, and when you judge between men, to judge with justice. How excellent is the teaching which He gives you! Truly God is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Surah An-Nisa', 4:58)

According to God’s Messenger, breaching a trust is a sign of the end of time: “When a trust is breached, expect the end of time.” When his Companions asked how a trust would be breached, he answered: “If a job or post is assigned to the unqualified, expect the end of time.”[4]

Assigning qualified people to jobs or posts is a social trust and plays a significant role in public administration and social order.  Its abuse causes social disorder.  There should be order at all social levels, for some are to be given responsibilities by others. God’s Messenger declared: “Each of you is a shepherd [man- ager], and each of you is responsible for your flock. The ruler is a shepherd responsible for his subjects. A husband is a shepherd responsible for his family. A woman is a shepherd responsible for her husband’s house. A servant is a shepherd responsible for managing the duties or property his master entrusted to him.”[5]

If everyone in a society were to carry out their responsibilities, we would be living in a “society of trustworthy ones.” Until that time, we can only imagine such utopias.

Trustworthiness is so essential an aspect of belief that God’s Messenger once declared: “One who is not trustworthy is not a believer,”[6] and described a believer as one whom the people trust with their blood and property.[7] Furthermore, he said:

“Promise  me the  following  six things  and  I will promise  you Paradise:  When  you speak, speak the truth; when  you give a promise,  carry it out;  when something  is entrusted  to you, do not breach it; keep chaste and don’t engage in illicit sexual relations; don’t look at what is forbidden;  and don’t grasp what is forbidden.”[8]

Even looking with lust at one to whom you are not married is forbidden. God says: “[Such] a glance is like a poisonous arrow from Satan’s quiver. Whoever refrains out of fear of Me, I inculcate belief so firmly in their hearts that they will taste it.”[9]

To live in absolute security is only possible if trustworthy people are in power.  If the Muslim world observes the Divine Trust and becomes the representative of trustworthiness and security in the world, a “new world order” based on justice and balance will be possible. Otherwise, humanity will continue to chase after mirages of justice, security, and happiness.

Through his truthfulness, trustworthiness, and other laudable virtues, God’s Messenger left an indelible mark on people of all ages. His every word and deed proclaimed his Messenger ship that he was sent to guide people to truth, to bring them out of the darkness of ignorance and savagery, slavery and immorality, into the light of knowledge, high morality and love, compassion and true freedom.[10]