SPIRIT OF ISLAM DECEMBER 2018

45 Spirit of Islam Issue 72 December 2018 ASK MAULANA Your Questions Answered Time and again I have come across people who have promised something and not kept their word. What is the Islamic perspective about promises? In mutual dealings in social life, it often happens that a person gives his word to another. There is apparently no third person or group between the two, yet there is always a third present and that is God who is the supreme witness. That is why every promise becomes a divine promise. A believer therefore should be extremely sensitive about giving his word. His conviction is that every commitment made between two persons is under the watchful eyes of God, and that he will be accountable for its fulfilment in the court of God. This compels him to be highly responsible as regards his promises. Whenever he gives his word to anyone he makes a point of keeping it. Many other virtues come in the wake of the regular fulfilment of promises. One of these is mutual trust. In a society where mutual trust exists, there is no discord and dissension between the people; there is an atmosphere of confidence and peaceability as there is no fear of promises being broken. Readiness to fulfil promises is a commendable trait; it is true faith that makes man the possessor of this highest human virtues. I have heard that Islam gives a sort of daily program to its adherents to follow. Can you elaborate on this? Islam gives a programme for life covering the individual’s entire existence. From morning till evening not a single moment of the believer’s life excludes the sphere of Islam. It is only after saying his prayers that he goes to bed at night and when he wakes up early in the morning, he first of all purifies his body, performs his dawn prayers. The day begins with purity and worship which is the beginning of a God oriented life. The ensuing hours between morning and noon are meant for economic activities. However during this period too a believer remembers God constantly. In all matters he adheres strictly to the limits set by God, and in his dealings with people, he is scrupulously honest in all kinds of interactions. Then between noon to night there are 4 more prayers which keep reminding him that God’s help and guidance is there for him to face his day-to-day challenges. The rest of the day he does all kinds of activities