AmanahA Broader Concept of

Trust in Islam

Quran’s teachings on Amanah

�ن� أ �ن� �ي ب� ف�أ �ال ب �ج و�ال و�األر�ض م�او�ات الس� ع�ل�ى �ة� األم�ان �ا ض�ن ع�ر� �ا ن إ

ج�ه%وال %وم)ا ظ�ل �ان� ك �ه% ن إ ان% �س� اإلن �ه�ا و�ح�م�ل �ه�ا من ف�ق�ن� ش�� و�أ �ه�ا �ن �ح�مل ي

We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it;- He was indeed unjust and foolish;-

ع�ل�ى �ه% الل %وب� �ت و�ي �ات رك �م%ش� و�ال ين� رك �م%ش� و�ال �افق�ات �م%ن و�ال �افقين� �م%ن ال �ه% الل %ع�ذ6ب� ي لين� �م%ؤ�من )ال

حيم ر� ا غ�ف%ور) �ه% الل �ان� و�ك �ات �م%ؤ�من او�ال (With the result) that Allah has to punish the Hypocrites, men

and women, and the Unbelievers, men and women, and Allah turns in Mercy to the Believers, men and women: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Al-Ahzab 33,72-73

Amanah here means Khilafah (Vicegerence) upon earth

Amanah here means the Khilafah upon earth which Allah (SWT) granted Adam (Alaih-Assalam).

He is given freedom of choice to obey or disobey Allah (SWT). He is also given power over many of Allah’s (SWT) creation on earth

He is responsible for his chosen path on this earth on the Day of Judgment.

He will receive rewards if he fulfills the demands of this Amanah or Khilafah. Otherwise will face chastisement.

This Amanah was offered to heavens, earth and mountains but they begged to be excused.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Ibn Abbas )

Amanah here means obedience (by choice).It was presented to heavens, earth and

mountains but they expressed their inability.It was then presented to Adam.He was told if he fulfilled its right, he will be

rewarded and if violated it, he will be punished. He accepted it.

Jahool means he has ignored accountability and Zaloom means he is preparing way of his own destruction by ignoring this Amanah.(Maudoodi)

We are now Khulafa on this earth and trustees for Islamic message

و�ال ه% %ف�ر% ك �ه �ي ف�ع�ل �ف�ر� ك ف�م�ن� األر�ض في ف� خ�الئ %م� �ك ع�ل ج� �ذي ال ه%و��افرين� �ك ال �زيد% ي و�ال )ا م�ق�ت ال إ 6هم� ب ر� �د� ن ع ه%م� %ف�ر% ك �افرين� �ك ال �زيد% ي

ا ار) خ�س� ال إ ه%م� %ف�ر% ك035.039 He it is That has made you inheritors

in the earth: if, then, any do reject (Allah), their rejection (works) against themselves: their rejection but adds to the odium for the Unbelievers in the sight of their Lord: their rejection but adds to (their own) undoing. Fatir,35:39

Other Meanings of AmanahAmanah is from “Aman” which means peace,

no fear or threat. In Islamic terminology it means utmost honesty and fulfilling rights of people and Allah (SWT). It has very broad meaning.

If someone is trusted with any valuable and he returns it to the owner fully, this is amanah

All of our belongings in this world are Amanah from Allah (SWT) including our body, health, wealth, time, family etc.

Meanings of AmanahIf someone shared with us a personal secret

and we keep it, it is Amanah.To give honest advice is Amanah.To fulfill our duty as employee honestly is

Amanah.To perform all the obligations of Sharia

properly is Amanah.Proceedings of a meeting are Amanah.To entrust the proper people with

responsibility of leadership is Amanah.

Word Amin is used for prophets, angel and true believersProphet Mohammad (SAW) was called Sadiq and Amin

even before Prophethood.

ق%ون�� �ت ت �ال أ Hوح% ن خ%وه%م�� أ �ه%م� ل ق�ال� ذ� إ

Behold, their brother Noah said to them: "Will ye not fear (Allah)?

Hينم� أ Hس%ول ر� %م� �ك ل 6ي ن إ

"I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust.” Shuara, 26,106-107

Similar ayahs are present in this Surah about Hood, Saleh, Loot, Shuaib.

Amanah is quality of Jibrael, Moosa and desired

quality of believers األمين% وح% Mالر ه ب ل� �ز� ن026.193 With it came down the spirit of Faith and Truth- Shuara

26.193

األمين% Mي�ق�و ال ت� ج�ر�� �أ ت اس� م�ن �ر� ي خ� ن� إ ه% جر�

� �أ ت اس� �ت ب� أ �ا ي ح�د�اه%م�ا إ ق�ال�ت�

Said one of the (damsels): "O my (dear) father! engage him on wages: truly the best of men for thee to employ is the (man) who is strong and trusty".... Qasas, 28:26

اع%ون� ر� و�ع�ه�دهم� هم� �ات ألم�ان ه%م� �ذين� و�ال Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants; Mominoon, 23:8

Give Amanah to deserving people

 �ن� �ي ب %م� �م�ت ح�ك ذ�ا و�إ ه�ا ه�ل

� أ ل�ى إ �ات األم�ان %ؤ�دMوا ت ن�� أ %م� ك م%ر%

� �أ ي �ه� الل ن� إ�ان� ك �ه� الل ن� إ ه ب %م� �عظ%ك ي عم�ا ن �ه� الل ن� إ �ع�د�ل ال ب %م%وا �ح�ك ت ن�

� أ �اس النا �صير) ب ميع)ا س�

Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! For Allah is He Who heareth and seeth all things. Nisa, 4:58

Ahadith about AmanahIf you have 4 things in you, then even if you

loose the whole material world, you are not a looser:

1. Protection of Amanah2. Truthfulness3. Beautiful morals4. Sustenance earned through Halal means. (Musnad Ahmad)

Ahadith on AmanahHe has no Iman who does not protect

Amanah and he has no Salaah who does not have Taharah. ( Targheeb, Tabarani)

He has no Iman who has no Amanah and he has no Deen who does not keep promises. (Tabrani)

Return the Amanah to whom it belongs and do not commit dishonesty to even one who did it to you. ( Abu Dawood, Tirmizi)

 Amanah is to choose right people for

the right position

Once Abudhur asked PROPHET for a position, He replied O’ abudhur you are weak, the responsibility is amanah, this will be a cause for humiliation on Day of Judgment and only those will be saved who has taken it rightfully and perfected it. (Muslim)

Prophet Yusuf P, when he presented his services to king of Egypt, it was not because of his prophet hood or piety but knowledge and skills. (Yusuf:55)

He said; "Set me over the store-houses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge”

Choosing right people Prophet (s) said, Who ever appointed a person

because of kinship even though there was a better person among them, who was most beloved to Allâh, then he deceived Allâh, his messenger and all the Muslims.

Abu Baker advised zayed bin abe Safyan that do not appoint people because of kinship, Prophet said, whoever appoint a person over the matters of Muslim because of his kinship, he will be curse by Allâh and his deeds and judgments will not accepted and he will be thrown in hellfire. [Hakim]

Ignoring Amanah is sign of Qiyamah

A person asked prophet about the sign of Qiyamah he replied “when Amanah will be destroyed, then wait for Qiyamah, person asked what it meant by destruction of Amanah, He P said – the responsibilities are given to weak and irresponsible people then wait for Qiyamah.

Amanah is fulfilling responsibilities assigned

Fulfilling the responsibilities in best manner, with all talent and potentials, indeed it is an amanah.

Not fulfilling the responsibilities is a mistrust and deception.

On Day of Judgment, all dishonest people will be given the flag and they will be recognized as corrupt people.

Taking undue advantage of position is Khayanah

Do not take the personal advantage of position

If an employ take the bribe or use unlawful mean to raise his salary – it is prohibited and unlawful. (haram)

Massager of Allâh said – if we give a position to anyone we also take care of his needs if he take extra then he is untrustworthy.

Mistrust is zulm or unjust with other.

Do not take undue advantage of a position of authority

Prophet P said - if an aamil (caretaker) do the job right, and not take the advantage of his position he will consider as Mujahid for sake of Allâh. Swt. [Tibrani]

Prophet P said – if a responsible person hides a needle, he would be asked on Day of Judgment.

Prophet P sent a person for collection of sadaqa, when he return he said this is your and this is gift for me - Prophet P said people said we are given the gift, would they received that gift if they would stay with their mother and father. Prophet P said on Day of Judgment people will carry their unlawful stuff on their shoulder and asking me for help. {Muslim}

Warning about Khayanah م�% �ت ن

� و�أ %م� ك �ات م�ان� أ %وا �خ%ون و�ت س%ول� و�الر� �ه� الل %وا �خ%ون ت ال %وا آم�ن �ذين� ال Mه�ا ي

� أ �ا ي�م%ون� �ع�ل ت

008.027 O ye that believe! betray not the trust of Allah and the Messenger, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you.

Hيمع�ظ Hج�ر� أ �د�ه% ن ع �ه� الل ن�

� و�أ Hة� �ن فت %م� و�الد%ك� و�أ %م� %ك م�و�ال

� أ �م�ا ن� أ �م%وا و�اع�ل

008.028 And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah with Whom lies your highest reward. Anfal, 8,27-28

KhayanahKhayanah is opposite to AmanahIt means not to pay the rights of individuals

and of Allah (SWT) in honest way.Khayanah happens by the heart, tongue,

hands and feet etc.

الصMد%ور% %خ�في ت و�م�ا %ن األع�ي �ة� ن ائ خ� �م% �ع�ل ي (Allah) knows of (the tricks) that deceive with

the eyes, and all that the hearts (of men) conceal. Ghafir, 40:19

Burden of Khayanah on the Day of Judgment

Jihad fi sabeelillh eliminate all sins except khayanat (mistrust of amanah); on the day of judgment a person will be brought, who was martyr in way of Allâh. He will be asked to fulfill the amanah, he will say how it is possible now, then he will be taken to hellfire and his khayanat of amanah will be shown to him. He will recognize them and try to take them on his shoulder, but would not be able to take it out form the hell fire.

Signs of HypocriteProphet (SAW) said,” Hypocrite has three

signs even if he fasts, establishes Salaah and considers himself a Muslim.

1. When he talks he lies.2. When he promises he breaks the promise.3. When he is given Amanah, he commits

Khayanah.

Only people of Amanah will go to Jannah

During the Khayber battle, companions started talking about those who became martyrs. When they mentioned one name, Prophet (SAW) said no. I saw him in hellfire. He stole a sheet from the official property. He told Omar to announce that only people of Iman (and amanah) will go to Jannah. (Muslim and Tirmizi)

Warning to officials about Khayanah

Muaz Ibn Jabal reported that when Prophet (SAW) appointed him governor of Yemen he called him. He said, “ I have called you for one reason. Whatever you take without my permission is Khayanah. Every Khayan person will bring his Khayanah on the day of Judgment.” (Tirmizi)

Once Prophet (SAW) said,” When we appoint an official and he takes one needle or something cheaper than that (unjustly) then it is Khayanah.”Muslim, Abu Dawood.