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BREACH OF PROMISE (GHADR)

One of the things that causes anger is to renege on one’s promise or word (ghadr). When a person promises something, it is called a promise (wa’d). If the promise is made by two people mutually, it is called “’ahd”. A promise (wa’d) which is emphasized with an oath is called “mîsâk”. When one of those who mutually promised something, e.g., made an agreement (’ahd), breaks the promise or agreement without informing the other party, he has committed “ghadr”. For example, if the leader of a state of a country perceives or understands that he has to break the peace agreement with a neighboring country of disbelievers, it is necessary (wâjib) for him to inform them. It is not permissible (jâiz) to break the peace agreement without informing them first. Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sal-lam’ states in a hadîth-i-sherîf: “He who commits ghadr will pay for it severely during the Judgement day (Qiyâmat).” Committing ghadr is forbidden. Keeping an agreement (’ahd) made with disbelievers is necessary.

Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sal-lam’ states in a hadîth-i-sherîf: “An untrustworthy person does not possess belief. A person who breaks his agreement ‘’ahd’ does not possess a religion.” This hadîth-i-sherîf points out that those who abuse others’ trust do not have mature belief and those who do not treat this matter with due importance will lose their belief.