Covenants in Islam divided into two main types, covenants between Almighty Allah and Covenants to be implemented between people based on Almighty Allah instructions.
First type: Covenants between Allah Exalted He and people:
- General covenant between Allah Exalted he and Adam and his sons in the beginning of creation.
“And (remember) as your Lord took from the Seeds (Or. sons) of Adam, from their backs, their offspring, and made them bear witness concerning themselves, “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes indeed, we bear witness.” (So) that you should not say on the Day of the Resurrection, “Surely we were heedless of this, or that you should not say, “Surely it is only our fathers (who) associated (i.e., associated others with Allah) earlier, and we were (their) offspring even after them. Would You then cause us to perish for what the wrong-doers performed?”
Qur’an Surah Al A’raf=Chapter the Heights (7:172-173)
- Covenant between Allah Exalted he and all prophets and messengers starting from Adam, Prophet Isa=Jesus included till the seal of Prophets- Prophet Muhammed peace be upon them all.
“And as Allah took compact with the Prophets (that), “Indeed, whatever I bring you of Book and Wisdom, thereafter a Messenger comes to you sincerely verifying what is with you, indeed you shall definitely believe in him, and indeed you shall definitely vindicate him.” He (i.e., Allah) said, “Do you ratify (that)? And do you take My obligation on those (conditions)?” They said, “We have ratified (that).” He said, “Then, bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses, so whoever turns away after that, then those are they (who) are the immoral.”
Qur’an Surah Al Imran=Chapter family of Imran (3:81-82)
- Covenant between Allah Exalted he with Muslims and all true believers and followers of all previous Prophets.
“And remember the favor of Allah upon you and his compact by which He has solemnly bound (Literally: compacted) you as you said, “We have heard, and we obey.” And be pious to Allah, surely Allah is Ever Knowing of the inmost thoughts in the breasts (Literally: what the breasts own).
Qur’an Surah Al Ma’idah= Chapter the Table Spread (5:7)
And
“And how is it with you as you do not believe in Allah? And the Messenger is calling you to believe in your Lord, and He has already taken compact with you, in case you are believers.
Qur’an Surah Al Hadid=Chapter the iron (57:8)
- Covenant between Allah Exalted he and Scholars of Religion from Muslims and all true believers and followers of all previous Prophets, to declare the true knowledge about the true religion to everyone.
When Allah (God) made a covenant with those who were given the Book [saying]: “You shall explain it to mankind and not conceal it,” they tossed it away behind their backs [ignoring it completely] and sold (tossed) it for a paltry price (money). How wretched was what they bought [instead]
Qur’an Surah Al-Imran= Chapter of Family of Imran (3:187)
- Covenant between Allah Exalted he and children of Israel, that they have abandoned by disobeying to follow Prophets such as Prophet Isa=Jesus and Prophet Muhammed.
“And (remember) as We took Compact (covenant) with the Seeds (or: sons) of Israel) (that), “You shall not worship any (God) except Allah, and (show) fairest companionship to parents, and near kinsmen, and to orphans, and to the indigent; and speak fair to mankind, and keep up the prayer, and bring the Zakat. (i.e., pay the obligatory poor-dues)” (But) thereafter you turned away excepting for a few of you, and you are (still) veering away.
Qur’an surah Al-Baqarah= Chapter the Cow (2:83)
And
When We made an agreement [covenant] with you [to follow the Torah] and raised the Mountain up over you [as a symbol]: “Take whatever We have brought you seriously and listen;” they said: “We listen and [yet] we disobey!” They sucked the [spirit of the] Calf into their hearts because of their disbelief. SAY: “How wretchedly your faith commands you, if you ever have been believers!”
Qur’an surah Al-Baqarah= Chapter the Cow (2:93)
The Christians also Broke their Covenant with Allah and the Repercussions of this behavior
‘We accepted their covenant from those who say: “We are Christians;” then they forgot a portion of what they had been commanded, so We have stirred up enmity and jealousy among (because of their disobedience), them until Resurrection Day. Allah (God) will notify them about whatever they have been accomplishing.”
Qur’an surah Al Ma’idah= chapter the table spread (5:14) And Below clarification of this verse:
Allah said,
﴿ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا نَصَـٰرَىٰٓ أَخَذۡنَا مِيثَـٰقَهُمۡ ﴾
(And from those who call themselves Christians, we took their covenant,) Meaning: `From those who call themselves Christians and followers of `Isa, son of Maryam, while in fact they are not as they claim. We took from them the covenant and pledges that they would follow the Prophet, aid him, honor him and follow his footsteps.’
And that they would believe in every Prophet whom Allah sends to the people of the earth. They imitated the Jews and broke the promises and the pledges. This is why Allah said,
﴿ فَنَسُواْ حَظًّ۬ا مِّمَّا ذُڪِّرُواْ بِهِۦ فَأَغۡرَيۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمُ ٱلۡعَدَاوَةَ وَٱلۡبَغۡضَآءَ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِۚ ﴾
(But they have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. So, we planted amongst them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection;) Meaning: `We planted enmity and hatred between them (because of their disobedience), and they will remain like this until the Day of Resurrection.’ Indeed, the numerous Christian sects have always been enemies and adversaries of each other, accusing each other of heresy and cursing each other.
Each sect among them excommunicates the other sects and does not allow them entrance to their places of worship. The Monarchist sect accuses the Jacobite sect of heresy, and such is the case with the Nestorians and the Arians. Each sect among them will continue to accuse the other of disbelief and heresy in this life and on the Day when the Witnesses will come forth. Allah then said,
﴿ وَسَوۡفَ يُنَبِّئُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَصۡنَعُونَ ﴾
(And Allah will inform them of what they used to do.) warning and threatening the Christians because of their lies against Allah and His Messenger and their false claims about Allah, hallowed be He above what they say about Him. The Christians attribute a companion and a son to Allah, while He is the One and Only, the All-Sufficient, who neither begets nor was He begotten, and there is none like unto Him.
Claiming or assuming that there is No point/purpose/reason behind sending Prophet Isa=Jesus fully and completely incorrect. Prophet Issa did not come with a new covenant, sending Prophet Issa by Almighty Allah was needed, justified, and ordinated by Almighty Allah in both Islam. Even the current part corrupt Bible still testify the truth.
Second type of Covenants in Islam: People BASED on Almighty Allah instructions.
- Covenants between Prophets and messengers and their followers.
“And remember the favor of Allah upon you and his compact (covenant) by which He has solemnly bound (Literally: compacted) you as you said, “We have heard, and we obey.” And be pious to Allah, surely Allah is Ever Knowing of the inmost thoughts in the breasts (Literally: what the breasts own).
Qur’an Surah Al Ma’idah= Chapter the Table Spread (5:7)
- Covenant between the ruler and the people
“And fulfil the covenant of Allah when you have covenanted, and do not break the oaths after they have been affirmed. And you have already made Allah Sponsor over you; surely Allah knows whatever (things) you perform.”
Qur’an Surah An-Nahl=Chapter the Bee (16:91)
And
“The worst creatures in the sight of Allah are those who reject Him and will not believe; The ones of them with whom you have covenanted, thereafter they break their covenant every time, and they are not pious.
Qur’an Surah Al-Anfal= Chapter the Spoils of War (8:55-56)
- Covenant among people themselves.
“And fulfil the covenant of Allah when you have covenanted, and do not break the oaths after they have been affirmed. And you have already made Allah Sponsor over you; surely Allah knows whatever (things) you perform.”
Qur’an Surah An-Nahl=Chapter the Bee (16:91)
And
“You who believe, do not use up your wealth idly, [taking other’s wealth unlawfully will allow others take yours similarly], unless it is for some business based on mutual consent among you [whatever taken without consent is unlawful]. Do not kill one another [or kill yourself]; Allah (God) has been Merciful towards you!”
Qur’an Sura An-Nisa=Chapter the women (4:29)
And
“You who believe, fulfill any contracts [you may make]. Any animals from livestock (Camels, Cows, and Sheep) are permitted you except for what has already been listed for you. What is not permitted you is hunting while you are in pilgrim dress. Allah (God) judges anything He wishes.”
Qur’an Surah Al-Ma’idah= Chapter the table spread (5:1)
And
You who believe, when you contract a debt for a stated term, put it down in writing: have a scribe write it down justly between you. No scribe should refuse to write let him write as God has taught him, let the debtor dictate, and let him fear God, his Lord, and not diminish [the debt] at all. If the debtor is feeble-minded, weak, or unable to dictate, then let his guardian dictate justly.
Call in two men as witnesses. If two men are not there, then call one man and two women out of those you approve as witnesses, so that if one of the two women should forget the other can remind her. Let the witnesses not refuse when they are summoned.
Do not disdain to write the debt down, be it small or large, along with the time it falls due: this way is more equitable in God’s eyes, more reliable as testimony, and more likely to prevent doubts arising between you. But if the merchandise is there and you hand it over, there is no blame on you if you do not write it down.
Have witnesses present whenever you trade with one another, and let no harm be done to either scribe or witness, for if you did cause them harm, it would be a crime on your part. Be mindful of God, and He will teach you: He has full knowledge of everything.
Qur’an Surah Al-Baqarah= Chapter the Cow (2:282)
- Covenant between a husband and a wife:
Divorce can happen twice, and [each time] wives either be kept on in an acceptable manner or released in a good way. It is not lawful for you to take back anything that you have given [your wives], except where both fear that they cannot maintain [the marriage] within the bounds set by God.
If you [arbiters] suspect that the couple may not be able to do this, then there will be no blame on either of them if the woman opts to give something for her release. These are the bounds set by God: do not overstep them. It is those who overstep God’s bounds who are doing wrong.
- Covenants between Muslims and non-Muslim countries
“As for those who have honoured the treaty you made with them and who have not supported anyone against you: fulfil your agreement with them to the end of their term. God loves those who are mindful of Him.
Qur’an Surah At-Tawbah=Chapter the repentance (9:4)
And
“How should the associators (Those who associate others with Allah) have a covenant in the Meeting with Allah and in the sight of His Messenger? Excepting the ones (with) whom you covenanted at the Inviolable Mosque; so, as long as they go straight with you, so go straight with them; surely Allah loves the pious.”
Qur’an Surah At-Tawbah=Chapter the repentance (9:7)
Allah knows Best.
Almighty Allah is the highest and most knowledgeable, and the attribution of knowledge to him is the safest.
Right from Almighty Allah and wrong from me and Satan
Prepared by Mohamad Mostafa Nassar- Australia.
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Arrogance is not only a sign of insecurity, but also a sign of immaturity. Mature and fully realised persons can get their points across, even emphatically without demeaning or intimidating others.