Tuesday, October 4, 2011

What is the Covenant in the aayah “Those who break Allaah’s Covenant after ratifying it…”?

 

What is the Covenant in the aayah “Those who break Allaah’s Covenant after ratifying it…” [al-Baqarah 2:27 – interpretation of the meaning]?

Praise
be to Allaah.

 

Abu Bakr ibn
al-‘Arabi said:

 
Covenants are
of two types: one for which expiation may be offered and another for
which there is no expiation. That for which expiation may be offered
is that which is intended as a vow to refrain from doing something or
to do something.

 
The second type
is a covenant in which the two parties are bound in a manner that is
permissible according to sharee’ah, and is binding, either exclusively
between them or amongst many people. It is not permissible to nullify
or abolish such a covenant, and it is not subject to kafaarah (expiation).
This is the covenant for which the one who breaks it will be gathered
(on the Day of Resurrection) as a betrayer, and a banner will be set
up for him commensurate with the degree of his betrayal, and it will
be said, “This is the betrayer of So and so.” Maalik says, a covenant
sworn by oath is not permitted to be nullified, and this is what is
meant by the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

 
“and break
not the oaths after you have confirmed them — and indeed you have appointed
Allaah your surety”
[al-Nahl 16:91]

 
And this is a
matter concerning which there is no scholarly dispute.
 

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