Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 58

(Ayah 58) ➊ In the middle of {اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَاْمُرُكُمْ اَنْ تُؤَدُّوا … :}, the conditions of the disbelievers and the warning for them were mentioned; now the sequence of commands is being resumed. The Jews used to betray trusts and take bribes in judgments, committing injustice and oppression; Allah Almighty commanded the Muslims to stay away from such acts. Here, "trust" refers to every kind of trust, whether it is related to religion and piety or worldly matters, but the Jews also betrayed the trust of knowledge by concealing the truth. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) described three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; when something is entrusted to him, he betrays the trust. Betrayal of trust is such a grave sin that it is not forgiven even by martyrdom. It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that on the return from Khaybar, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) set out towards Wadi al-Qura. When he arrived there, his slave "Mida'm" was unloading the saddle from his camel when a stray arrow struck him and killed him. The people said, "Congratulations to him for Paradise," but the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By no means! By the One in Whose hand is my soul! The cloak he took from the spoils of Khaybar, which had not yet been distributed, is now burning upon him as fire." [ بخاری، المغازی، باب غزوۃ خیبر : ۴۲۳۴ ] The reason this sin is not forgiven by martyrdom is that it concerns the rights of people. It is narrated from Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every sin of the martyr is forgiven except debt." [ مسلم، الإمارۃ، باب من قتل فی سبیل اللہ… ۱۸۸۵ ] However, there is a glad tiding in one hadith: It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever takes people's wealth with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf; and whoever takes people's wealth intending to destroy it, Allah will destroy him." [ بخاری، الاستقراض، باب من أخذ أموال الناس… ۲۳۸۷ ] From this, it is understood that if the martyr intended to repay, then if the heirs do not pay, Allah Almighty will pay from Himself, but obviously, the one who betrays trust does not have such an intention. Trust includes both the trusts taken from people and the distribution of positions and offices. When a responsible person knows that a certain individual is not qualified for a position, yet due to personal relationship, family ties, worldly motives, or quota system, he gives the position to an unqualified person instead of a qualified one, this is a great betrayal. In Surah Al-Ahzab (72), Surah Al-Mu’minun (8), and Surah Al-Baqarah (283), trustworthiness has also been emphasized.

➋ { وَ اِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ اَنْ تَحْكُمُوْا بِالْعَدْلِ:} In several places in the Qur'an, justice has been emphasized, even if it is against oneself; see Surah An-Nisa (135). And refraining from justice due to enmity has also been prohibited; see Surah Al-Ma'idah (8), Surah An-Nahl (90), and Surah Al-Hujurat (9). Among the seven fortunate people who will receive Allah's shade on the Day of Judgment, the first will be a just ruler. [ بخاری، الأذان، باب من جلس فی المسجد… : ۶۶۰ ]

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, those who are just, who are fair in their judgments, with their families, and with those under their care, will be on pulpits of light with Allah, on the right side of the Most Merciful, and both hands of the Most Merciful are right." [ مسلم، الإمارۃ، باب فضیلۃ الأمیر العادل…: ۱۸۲۷، عن عبد اللہ بن عمرو رضی اللہ عنھما ] And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah is with the judge and ruler as long as he does not commit injustice, and when he commits injustice, Allah leaves him to himself." [ ابن ماجہ، الأحکام، باب التغلیظ فی الحیف والرشوۃ : ۲۳۱۲،عن عبد اللہ بن أوفٰی رضی اللہ عنہ وصححہ الألبانی ]