Treachery – A characteristic of the low-minded

Muslims should set the best example in keeping their promises, even if it causes them to have to forego some interests. Saleem ibn ‘Aamir  relates: “There was a [provisional] treaty between Mu‘aawiyah  and the Romans. However, he marched towards them in order to attack them as soon as the pact would expire. A man, riding a horse, came and said, ‘Allaah is The Most Great, Allaah is The Most Great! Let there be observance [of terms] and not treachery.’ They turned to look and found that it was ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah  who further said, ‘I heard the Prophet say,‘Whoever is in a covenant with people should not tie or untie a knot [i.e., take any action against them], until its time is over or he renounces the covenant on a mutual footing.’ Therefore, Mu‘aawiyah  went back [without launching an attack].” That was how the Companions  were raised; they were taught that the consequences of treachery are grave, and so, they avoided it and always stood guard against it. Truly, we are in dire need of following their example and adopting their morals.

Indeed, treachery has wrought destruction on many people, limited their options and enclosed them in an unbreakable band of disgrace. It is known that a treacherous person’s affairs are never settled and Allaah The Almighty does not accept from him or her anything, be it repentance or expiation. ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib  said, “We do not have anything except the Book of Allaah and this sheet of paper about the Prophet . [..] He who breaks a covenant between him and another Muslim, upon him will be the Curse of Allaah and that of the angels and all of mankind; from him, neither contrition nor ransom will be accepted.” [Al-Bukhaari] 

A treacherous person is vilified both in the worldly life and the Hereafter, when Allaah The Almighty will expose him before all creatures. Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri  narrates that the Prophet, , said: “On the Day of Judgment, there will be a banner raised for every person guilty of betrayal. It will be raised in proportion to the extent of his [or her] culpability; and there is no form of treason more serious than that committed by a ruler.”[Muslim] 

Some scholars consider treachery a grave major sin. Why not, when Allaah The Almighty Says in a Hadeeth Qudsi:“I will Be the Opponent of three types of people on the Day of Resurrection: he [or she] who makes a covenant in My Name, but is unfaithful; he [or she] who sells a free person and devours his price; and the one who employs a laborer and derives his [or her] objective from him [or her], but does not compensate him [or her] for that work.”  [Al-Bukhaari] In his guidelines to army leaders, the Prophet, , would command: “Wage war in the Name of Allaah and in the Cause of Allaah. Destroy those who disbelieve in Allaah. Fight and do not embezzle the spoils of war; do not break your pledge; do not mutilate [dead bodies] and do not kill children.” [Muslim]

Treachery is a trait that suggests meanness and debasement, and it is, further, a characteristic of hypocrisy. The Prophet, , said: “He who has the following four [qualities] is a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of them has one characteristic of hypocrisy until he gives it up: if he is entrusted, he betrays [the trust]; whenever he speaks, he tells a lie; when he enters into a covenant, he proves to be treacherous; and when he quarrels, he behaves insolently." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] If we were to list bad morals, there would be nothing worse than betrayal that leads to hypocrisy and nothing more disgraceful than violation of a covenant.