Download PDF: [S] Arabs kept their Oaths and Promises (Islamic Story)

There is no doubt that among the Arabs, an oath and a promise holds a very status and position. In fact, they would do anything to make sure that they keep their promises and oaths. Even if they have to give their lives to keep this oath, they would be ready to sacrifice their lives.

 

This can been seen in the following incident when Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – accepted Islam. It is mentioned that when it became publicly known that he had accepted Islam, all of Mecca came to his house to insult and humiliate him. In fact, the Mushriks began to announce that “’Umar had lost his religion.”

 

However, at that time the father of Hadrat Sayyiduna Amar bin Al Aas – may Allah be pleased with him, who was not a Muslim by the name of Aas bin Waa’il, when he heard about this, he came to the house of Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – and asked him the reason why all these people had gathered at his front door. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – then revealed the entire story to him. After he had heard the story of Hadrat Sayyiduna Umar – may Allah be pleased with him , he came outside and announced to everyone, “’Umar is under my protection none of you can even touch one hair of his.” When he mentioned these words, everyone began to disperse and left. (Bukhari Shareef, #3864)

 

Another example of loyalty and keeping a promise was displayed by Abdullah bin Areeqaz. He was made a promise to Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – that he would guide him and the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – during their migration. Bear in mind that he had not accepted Islam. At the same time, the Quraish had also placed a large reward for anyone who could capture the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him. However, Abdullah bin Areeqaz had made a promise. He turned his head away from all of these wealth until he made sure that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – reached Madina Shareef safely.

 

Another example of keeping an oath has been reported by Imam Marzuqi. He writes, “It is mentioned that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – once cursed the people of the Bani Mudir with drought. In fact, for seven years, no rain appeared in their village. Due to this severe drought, the fields had dried up and there was no water, grain or anything to feed themselves. In this desperation, the leader of this clan, a person named Haajib, then called his people and said to them, ‘I am going to the palace of Khusroe because it is becoming impossible for us to live and survive in this place.’ Obviously, his tribe was very happy with this suggestion. When he reached the palace of Khusroe, he asked permission to live in his country until the drought ended.

 

“The King of Persia told him. ‘You are people who are noted for bloodshed and creating mischief and creating immense turmoil within a country. If I allow you to live in my country, you people would create immense trouble within this country and the internal peace in their country would be destroyed. I am therefore, not prepared to sacrifice this peace for your people.’

 

“However, Haajib mentioned to him, ‘I make a promise that as long as my tribe remains in this country, they will never be guilty of creating problems for you and will never destroy the peace in this country.’

 

“Khusroe then asked him whether he could present any guarantee for this promise. Haajib mentioned that he would present his bow to him as a guarantee.

 

“This seemed highly unusual to Khusroe and he did not understand the wisdom behind this. A little while later, Haajib brought his bow and presented it to Khusroe. When the subjects in the court of Khusroe saw this, they all began to laugh. However, Khusroe mentioned that he was happy with the bow as a guarantee.”

 

The historians mention that as long as this bow remained with Khusroe, not one member of this tribe created any trouble in this country. They continued to make sure that they kept the promise of their leader.

 

A few months later, Haajib died and within this period, the tribe of Mudir approached the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and accepted Islam. The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – also made Du’a for them and within a short period, rain appeared and everything again became green in their land. The rest of this clan then decided not to live any longer in Persia and all of them returned to their ancestral area.

 

A few months later, the son of Haajib then approached Khusroe and asked that the bow of his father be given back to him. Khusroe mentioned that the person who had given the bow was someone else. However, Attarid who was the son of Haajib, replied that his father has died and that therefore, since he was taking this bow back, the oath no longer remained in effect. In fact so amazed was Khusroe with this simple act that he also rewarded the person with many gifts. (Seerat Khaatimun Nabiyeen)