Trustworthiness is the quality of carefully looking after something one has been entrusted with, whether it is money, work, a secret or the like. A person thus entrusted is referred to as a “trustee”; he or she is expected to honor the conditions of the trust placed by others. The person who does not respect such a trust betrays those who placed it ill him or her. An act of betrayal may result, for example, from negligence, misuse, illegal appropriation, denial or excessive abuse.
Trustworthiness is one of the great virtues which Islam cherishes and calls for in various forms, whether in the Holy Qur’an or the Hadith, to the extent of considering it one of the clear signs of faith and one of the prominent features or conditions of success. In fact, successful believers are “those wo faithfully look after what they have been entrusted with and keep their promises” (Sura 23: 8); and as the Prophet Muhammad said, “Those who do not respect that which they have been trusted with have no faith.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad and others)
Allah Almighty says: “We have proposed the trust to the earth, the heavens and the mountains, but, scared of it, they did not dare to bear its burden; then, man assumed it; what an arrogant fool!” (Sura 33: 72) The Prophet Muhammad said also: “Promise me six things and I can guarantee you paradise: to be truthful in speech, to keep your promises, to honor the confidence placed in you, to lower your gaze, to keep chaste, and to avoid mistreating others.” (Related by Imam Ahmad and others)
Trust constitutes such a heavy responsibility that even the heavens, the earth and the mountains did not feel prepared to bear it; and since man has accepted to do so, he must be careful not to neglect his role or arouse Allah’s displeasure by going to excesses.
The meaning of “trust” is so broad and its implications so wide as to rights and obligations to be respected, whether those related to Allah such prayer and fasting, or to people such as things one may be entrusted with.
There are, therefore, so many aspects in which the significance of trust is most obvious, namely:
1) The close adherence to the faith of Islam, with a sound implementation of its principles, as Allah Almighty says, “O, believers! Do not, knowingly, betray Allah or the Prophet or trusts placed in you.” (Sura 8: 27)
2) Controlling one’s senses and instincts so as to put them to the service of Allah, and not fall prey to evil-doing;
3) Providing an adequate education for children who should be initiated to the obedience of Allah and the concept of uprightness;
4) Dedication to one’s work, and devotedness in serving public interests;
5) Dealing with others in the most sincere way, without cheating or betraying them; in this respect, the Prophet Muhammad says in reporting his Lord’s words, “I am third to two partners as long as neither betrays the other, and if one betrays the other, I leave their midst.” (Reported by Abu Dawud)
6) Assigning responsibilities to competent people who are capable of carrying them out most properly; the Prophet Muhammad said in this regard, “It is betraying Allah, His Messenger and the believers to appoint a man to lead a group when there nay be one more pleasing to Allah.” (Related by Al-Hakim)
7) Taking the best care of things one has been entrusted with until they are returned to their owners, as the Almighty says, “Allah commands you to give back things you have been entrusted with to those to whom they belong.” (Sura 4: 58)
The Prophet Muhammad has given us the best example of trustworthiness in his dealings long before the advent of the Divine Message and afterwards, making no distinction between believers and non-believers.
So, dear fellow believer, try to follow the Prophet’s example by respecting a trust vested in you, returning things you have been entrusted with to their owners, and avoid betraying even those who may have betrayed you.
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