Hadith #7904

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إنْجازُ الوَعْدِ أحَدُ العِتْقَيْنِ۔

This can be translated as,

Fulfilling the promise [one makes] is one of the two emancipations.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (injaz) "إنْجازُ" means fulfilling or completing. It signifies the act of carrying out a promise or commitment. The term (al-waad) "الوَعْدِ" refers to a promise or pledge made by an individual. And finally, (al-‘itqayn) "العِتْقَيْنِ" refers to the two types of emancipations or liberations.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of fulfilling promises in numerous verses. In Surah Al-Isra (17:34), Allah says,

And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.

This verse highlights the significance of fulfilling commitments and the accountability that comes with it.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:1), Allah states,

O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.

This verse further emphasizes the importance of fulfilling contracts and promises. It is a fundamental principle in Islam to honor one's commitments and fulfill promises, as it is a reflection of one's integrity and trustworthiness.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. He states that fulfilling a promise is one of the two emancipations. This implies that fulfilling a promise holds great significance and carries immense rewards in the sight of Allah.

Firstly, fulfilling a promise is a means of emancipating oneself from the burden of unfulfilled obligations. When we make a promise, we are bound by our words and have a responsibility to fulfill it. By honoring our commitments, we free ourselves from the weight of unfulfilled promises and maintain our integrity.

Secondly, fulfilling a promise is a form of liberation from the negative consequences of breaking trust. When we fail to fulfill a promise, we not only let down the person we made the promise to but also damage our reputation and trustworthiness. By fulfilling our promises, we preserve and strengthen the bonds of trust within our relationships, both personal and professional.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening saying serves as a reminder for Muslims to uphold their promises and commitments. It encourages us to be people of integrity, trust, and reliability. By fulfilling our promises, we not only fulfill our obligations towards others but also strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of fulfilling our promises. It reminds us that fulfilling a promise is not just a mere act, but it holds great significance in our personal and spiritual growth. By honoring our commitments, we emancipate ourselves from the burden of unfulfilled obligations and strengthen our relationships with others and with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May we strive to be people of integrity and fulfill our promises, for it is a means of attaining liberation in this world and the Hereafter.