The Etiquette of Trustworthiness

The Etiquette of Trustworthiness

 

Summary

Among the praiseworthy virtues is safeguarding the property and confidences of fellow human beings and members of one’s faith. In the teachings on trustworthiness, the importance and consequences of this duty have been expressed through the words of the Qur’an and the Prophet’s Household. According to the guidance of the leaders of Islam, there is no allowance for betrayal in matters of trust, regardless of the person involved. Committing a breach of trust leads to harmful and destructive consequences.

 

Related Terms:

Trust, Trusts, Trustee, Deposit / Entrusted property, Faithfulness to one’s covenant, Covenant / Pact, Honesty / Truthfulness, Betrayal, Traitor / Betrayer

 

1- The Importance of Trustworthiness

 

اَللهُ تَعالى:‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَ إِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ. (نساء/ ۵۸)

“Indeed, God commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners; and when you judge between people, to judge with justice.”

(Allah, the Exalted) (Surah An-Nisa, 4:58)

 

اَللهُ تَعالى:‏ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ عَلى‏ سَفَرٍ وَ لَمْ تَجِدُوا كاتِباً فَرِهانٌ مَقْبُوضَةٌ فَإِنْ أَمِنَ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاً فَلْيُؤَدِّ الَّذِي اؤْتُمِنَ أَمانَتَهُ وَ لْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ. (بقره/۲۸۳)

“And if you are on a journey and do not find a scribe, then take a pledge as security. But if one of you entrusts another, let the one who has been entrusted return the trust to its owner, and let him be mindful of Allah, his Lord.”

(Allah, the Exalted)  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:283)

 

 

اَللهُ تَعالى:‏ وَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَماناتِهِمْ وَ عَهْدِهِمْ راعُونَ‏.(مؤمنون/ ۸)

“And those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants.”

(Allah, the Exalted) (Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:8)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: يَا كُمَيْلُ.. أُقْسِمُ لَسَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ) يَقُولُ لِي قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ بِسَاعَةٍ مِرَاراً ثَلَاثاً يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ أَدَاءَ الْأَمَانَةِ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ فِيمَا جَلَّ وَ قَلَّ حَتَّى الْخَيْطِ وَ الْمِخْيَطِ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۴ ص ۴۱۶)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “O Kumayl! … I swear that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), an hour before his passing, say to me three times: ‘O Abul-Hasan! Return the trust and the deposit to its owner, whether great or small, even if it be a thread or a needle, and whether the owner be righteous or sinful.’”

Source: Bihar al Anvar, vo.:74 p: 416

 

وَ سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ) عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ { إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمانَةَ } الْآيَةَ (احزاب/۷۲) مَا الَّذِي عَرَضَ عَلَيْهِنَّ وَ مَا الَّذِي حَمَلَ الْإِنْسَانُ وَ مَا كَانَ هَذَا قَالَ فَقَالَ عَرَضَ عَلَيْهِنَّ الْأَمَانَةَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَ ذَلِكَ حِينَ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۷)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: They asked Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) about the interpretation of the saying of God, the Mighty and Exalted: “Indeed, We offered the Trust …” to the end of the verse(what was offered to them, what the human being undertook, and what is meant by it. He replied: It is the trust among people; and this occurred when God created the creatures.

Source: Bihar al Anvar, vo.:72, p: 117

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: أَصْلُ‏ الدِّينِ‏ أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ الْوَفَاءُ بِالْعُهُودِ. (تصنيف غرر الحكم ص ۸۶)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The foundation of true religiosity is the fulfillment of trusts and faithfulness to covenants and pledges.”

(Tasnif Ghorar al Hekam, p: 86)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: ….وَ أَحْرِزْ دِينَكَ وَ أَمَانَتَكَ‏ بِإِنْصَافِكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ وَ الْعَمَلِ بِالْعَدْلِ فِي رَعِيَّتِكَ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۲۵۶)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “…Safeguard your religion and your trust; be fair with yourself, and act with justice among the people.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 256)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: رَأْسُ الْإِسْلَامِ الْأَمَانَةُ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۲۶۴)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The foremost of the fruits of Islam is trustworthiness.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 264)

 

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: أَحَبُّ الْعِبَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَجُلٌ صَدُوقٌ فِي حَدِيثِهِ مُحَافِظٌ عَلَى صَلَوَاتِهِ وَ مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ مَعَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۴)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “The most beloved of servants in the sight of God, the Mighty and Exalted, is one who is truthful, who performs the prayer and whatever God has made obligatory upon him at its proper time, and who fulfills the trust entrusted to him.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 114)

 

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَبْعَثْ نَبِيّاً قَطُّ إِلَّا بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ فَإِنَّ الْأَمَانَةَ مُؤَدَّاةٌ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۶)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “God has never sent a prophet except to proclaim truthfulness and the fulfillment of trusts; indeed, a trust must be returned, whether to a righteous person or to a wicked one.”
(Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq, peace be upon him)
(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 116)

 

الثُّمَالِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ) قَالَ: سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ لِشِيعَتِهِ عَلَيْكُمْ بِأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ فَوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً بِالْحَقِّ نَبِيّاً لَوْ أَنَّ قَاتِلَ أَبِيَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ) ائْتَمَنَنِي عَلَى السَّيْفِ الَّذِي قَتَلَهُ بِهِ لَأَدَّيْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ‏. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۴)

Imam Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) said: “Thumālī said: I heard Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) saying to his followers: ‘Hold fast to fulfilling trusts! By the One who truly sent Muhammad as a Prophet, if the killer of my father, Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī (peace be upon him), were to entrust me with the very sword by which he killed him, I would return it to him.’”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 114)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: إِنْ‏ عَقَدْتَ‏ بَيْنَكَ‏ وَ بَيْنَ‏ عَدُوِّكَ‏ عُقْدَةً أَوْ أَلْبَسْتَهُ مِنْكَ ذِمَّةً فَحُطْ عَهْدَكَ بِالْوَفَاءِ وَ ارْعَ ذِمَّتَكَ بِالْأَمَانَة. (نهج البلاغه نامه ۵۳)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “If you conclude a treaty between yourself and your enemy, or grant him a pledge of security and reassure him with a truce, then be faithful to your covenant and be trustworthy and upright in honoring the security you have given him.”

Nahj al-Balaghah, Letter 53

 

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْجَبَ عَلَيْكُمْ حُبَّنَا وَ مُوَالاتَنَا وَ فَرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ طَاعَتَنَا أَلَا فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنَّا فَلْيَقْتَدِ بِنَا فَإِنَّ مِنْ شَأْنِنَا الْوَرَعَ وَ الِاجْتِهَادَ وَ أَدَاءَ الْأَمَانَةِ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ وَ صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ وَ إِقْرَاءَ الضَّيْفِ وَ الْعَفْوَ عَنِ الْمُسِي‏ءِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَقْتَدِ بِنَا فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۵)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “God, the Most Great and Exalted, has made love for us and adherence to us obligatory upon you, and has made obedience to us binding upon you. Be aware: whoever truly belongs to us must follow our path. Of our defining traits are piety and striving, fulfilling trusts to both the righteous and the wicked, maintaining ties of kinship, honoring guests, and pardoning the wrongdoer. Whoever does not follow us is not from us.”

Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 115

 

2- Trustworthiness from the Perspective of Reason

 

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا…

…وَ الْأَمَانَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْخِيَانَة. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۱ ص ۱۰۹)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Know reason and its hosts, and know ignorance and its hosts, so that you may be guided…
…Among them is trustworthiness, and its opposite is betrayal.”

Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 1, p. 109

 

3- The Characteristics and Rank of the Trustworthy Person

 

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: أَحَبُّ الْعِبَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَجُلٌ صَدُوقٌ فِي حَدِيثِهِ مُحَافِظٌ عَلَى صَلَوَاتِهِ وَ مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ مَعَ أَدَائِهِ الْأَمَانَةَ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۸۰ ص ۱۱)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “The most beloved of servants in the sight of God, the Mighty and Exalted, is the one who is truthful in speech, guards the prayers and all that God has made obligatory upon him, and faithfully fulfills trusts.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 80, p. 11)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: أَفْضَلُ الْإِيمَانِ الْأَمَانَةُ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۱۱۷)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The highest form of faith is trustworthiness.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 117)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: الْأَمَانَةُ نُورٌ لِمَنْ رَعَاهَا. (عيون الحكم  ص ۴۵ )

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Trustworthiness is a light for the one who upholds it.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 45)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: الْأَمَانَةُ صِيَانَةٌ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۳۷)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Trustworthiness is safeguarding and preservation.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 37)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: إِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبْداً حَبَّبَ إِلَيْهِ الْأَمَانَةَ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۱۳۵)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Whenever God loves a servant, He makes trustworthiness beloved to him.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 135)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: ثَمَرَةُ الدِّينِ الْأَمَانَةُ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۲۰۸)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The fruit of religion is trustworthiness.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 208)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: الْأَمَانَةُ وَ الْوَفَاءُ صِدْقُ‏ الْأَفْعَالِ‏ وَ الْكَذِبُ وَ الِافْتِرَاءُ خِيَانَةُ الْأَقْوَالِ. (تصنيف غرر الحكم  ص ۲۵۱)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Trustworthiness and fidelity are righteousness and truthfulness in conduct, whereas lying and slander are treachery in speech.”

(Tasnif Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 251)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: إِذَا قَوِيَتِ‏ الْأَمَانَةُ كَثُرَ الصِّدْقُ‏. (عيون الحكم  ص ۱۳۴)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Whenever trustworthiness becomes strong in a person, truthfulness increases within him.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 134)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: الْأَمَانَةُ فَضِيلَةٌ لِمَنْ‏ أَدَّاهَا.  (عيون الحكم  ص ۴۵)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Trustworthiness is a virtue for the one who fulfills it.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 45)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: مَنْ‏ طَابَقَ‏ سِرُّهُ‏ عَلَانِيَتَهُ‏ وَ وَافَقَ فِعْلُهُ مَقَالَتَهُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي أَدَّى الْأَمَانَةَ وَ أَخْلَصَ‏ عِبَادَتَهُ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۴۴۰)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever’s inward and outward states are the same, and whose actions conform to his words(he is the one who has fulfilled the divine trust and has purified his worship.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 440)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: ثَلَاثٌ هُنَّ زِينَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ تَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ صِدْقُ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۲۱۱)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Three things adorn a believer: fear of God, truthfulness in speech, and returning what has been entrusted.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 211)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: اِلْزَمِ الصِّدْقَ وَ الْأَمَانَةَ فَإِنَّهُمَا سَجِيَّةُ الْأَخْيَارِ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۸۳)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Be constantly truthful and trustworthy, for these two are the qualities of the righteous.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 83)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: الْأَمَانَةُ فَضِيلَةٌ لِمَنْ‏ أَدَّاهَا. (عيون الحكم  ص ۴۵)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Trustworthiness is a virtue for the one who fulfills it.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 45)

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏ لَا تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى كَثْرَةِ صَلَاتِهِمْ وَ صَوْمِهِمْ وَ كَثْرَةِ الْحَجِّ وَ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ طَنْطَنَتِهِمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ لَكِنِ انْظُرُوا إِلَى صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۴)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Do not look at the abundance of their prayers, their fasting, their many pilgrimages, their charitable deeds, or their weeping at night. Rather, look at their truthfulness and their fulfillment of trusts.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 114)

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏ …أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ‏ مَنْ‏ كَانَتْ‏ عِنْدَهُ‏ وَدِيعَةً فَلْيُؤَدِّهَا إِلَى‏ مَنِ‏ ائْتَمَنَهُ‏ عَلَيْهَا. (بحار الأنوار  ج ‏۲۱ ص ۳۸۱)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “O people! Whoever has a trust in his possession must return it to the one who entrusted him with it.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 21, p. 381)

 

4- The Supplication for Trustworthiness (Amanah)

 

…اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَوْدِعُكَ نَفْسِي وَ دِينِي وَ أَمَانَتِي‏ وَ أَهْلِي وَ مَالِي وَ عِيَالِي وَ أَهْلَ حُزَانَتِي وَ خَوَاتِيمَ عَمَلِي وَ جَمِيعَ مَا أَنْعَمْتَ بِهِ عَلَيَّ مِنْ أَمْرِ دُنْيَايَ وَ آخِرَتِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَضِيعُ مَحْفُوظُكَ وَ لَا تَرْزَأُ وَدَائِعُكَ..‏.(بحار الأنوار ج ‏۹۱ ص ۳۴۲)

“O Allah! I entrust to You my religion and my worldly life, my family and my children, my spouse, my trusts, and all that You have bestowed upon me as a blessing in this world and the Hereafter. Truly, Your work is never wasted, and Your trusts are never lost…”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 91, p. 342)

 

أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ) وَ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ) قَالا: تَقُولُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مِنْ أَوَّلِهِ إِلَى آخِرِهِ بَعْدَ كُلِّ فَرِيضَةٍ: … وَ اجْعَلْ فِيمَا تَقْضِي وَ تُقَدِّرُ أَنْ تُطِيلَ عُمُرِي فِي طَاعَتِكَ وَ تُوَسِّعَ عَلَيَّ رِزْقِي وَ تُؤَدِّيَ عَنِّي أَمَانَتِي وَ دَيْنِي آمِينَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ‏. (إقبال بالأعمال ج ‏۱  ص ۷۹ )

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq and Imam Musa al-Kazim (peace be upon them) said:

From the beginning to the end of the month of Ramadan, after every obligatory prayer, say:

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq and Imam Musa al-Kazim (peace be upon them) said: “And decree for me, within Your divine decree and ordainment, that You prolong my life in obedience to You, expand for me my provision, and enable me to discharge my trusts and my debts.
Answer [this prayer], O Lord of the worlds!”

(Iqbal al-A’mal, vol. 1, p. 79)

 

5- Types of Trustworthiness

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏‏ الْعِلْمُ وَدِيعَةُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ وَ الْعُلَمَاءُ أُمَنَاؤُهُ عَلَيْهِ فَمَنْ عَمِلَ بِعِلْمِهِ أَدَّى أَمَانَتَهُ‏ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْ بِعِلْمِهِ كُتِبَ فِي دِيوَانِ الْخَائِنِينَ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۲ ص ۳۶)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Knowledge is God’s trust upon the earth, and scholars are the trustees of that trust. Whoever acts upon his knowledge has indeed fulfilled his trust, and whoever does not act upon it will be recorded among the betrayers in the Divine register.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 36)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: أَفْضَلُ الْأَمَانَةِ الْوَفَاءُ بِالْعَهْدِ. (عيون الحكم  ص  ۱۱۹)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The greatest form of trustworthiness is faithfulness to one’s covenant.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, page 119)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ:الصِّدْقُ أَمَانَةٌ وَ الْكَذِبُ خِيَانَةٌ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۶۹ ص ۱۹۲)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Truthfulness is trust, and lying is betrayal.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 69, p. 192)

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏ يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ الْمَجَالِسُ بِالْأَمَانَةِ وَ إِفْشَاءُ سِرِّ أَخِيكَ خِيَانَةٌ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۴ ص ۸۹)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “O Abu Dharr! What is said in gatherings is a trust, and revealing your friend’s secret is a betrayal.”

Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 89)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: أَفْضَلُ‏ الْأَمَانَةِ الْوَفَاءُ بِالْعَهْدِ. (تصنيف غرر الحكم  ص ۲۵۱)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The greatest trustworthiness is acting in accordance with a covenant.”

(Tasnif Ghurar al-Ḥikam, p. 251)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: الصِّدْقُ‏ أَمَانَةُ اللِّسَانِ‏ وَ حِلْيَةُ الْإِيمَانِ. ‏(تصنيف غرر الحكم  ص ۲۱۸ )

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Truthfulness is the trust of the tongue and the adornment of faith.”

(Tasnif Ghurar al-Ḥikam, p. 218)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: طَلَبُ التَّعَاوُنِ عَلَى إِقَامَةِ الْحَقِّ دِيَانَةٌ وَ أَمَانَةٌ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۳۱۹)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Seeking help in establishing the truth is an act of faith and trustworthiness.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 319)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: كُلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ لَا يَحْسُنُ نَشْرُهُ أَمَانَةٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُسْتَكْتَمْ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۳۷۷)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Whatever it is improper to disclose is a trust, even if no one has asked for it to be kept secret.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 377)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: مِنْ أَحْسَنِ الْأَمَانَةِ رَعْيُ الذِّمَمِ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۴۶۹ )

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Among the best forms of trustworthiness is the observance of covenants and pledges.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 469)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: اعْلَمْ يَا رِفَاعَةُ أَنَ‏ هَذِهِ‏ الْإِمَارَةَ أَمَانَةٌ فَمَنْ جَعَلَهَا خِيَانَةً فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ مَنِ اسْتَعْمَلَ خَائِناً فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّداً (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ) بَرِي‏ءٌ مِنْهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَة.(دعائم الإسلام ج ٢ ص ٥٣١)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Know, O Rifā‘ah! This governance is a trust. Whoever betrays it will remain distanced from the mercy of God until the Day of Resurrection. And whoever appoints a treacherous person to a position of responsibility, then Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) is disassociated from him in this world and the Hereafter.”

(Da’a’im al-Islam, vol. 2, p. 531)

 

6- The Effects of Trustworthiness

 

6-1 Salvation from the Fire (Deliverance from Hellfire)

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: مَنِ اؤْتُمِنَ عَلَى أَمَانَةٍ فَأَدَّاهَا فَقَدْ حَلَّ أَلْفَ عُقْدَةٍ مِنْ عُنُقِهِ مِنْ عُقَدِ النَّارِ فَبَادِرُوا بِأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ فَإِنَّ مَنِ اؤْتُمِنَ عَلَى أَمَانَةٍ وَكَّلَ بِهِ إِبْلِيسُ مِائَةَ شَيْطَانٍ مِنْ مَرَدَةِ أَعْوَانِهِ لِيُضِلُّوهُ وَ يُوَسْوِسُوا إِلَيْهِ حَتَّى يُهْلِكُوهُ إِلَّا مَنْ عَصَمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‏. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۴)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is entrusted with a trust and fulfills it has untied a thousand knots of Hellfire from his neck. Hasten in fulfilling trusts! For whenever a trust is placed with someone, Iblīs assigns one hundred devils from among his rebellious followers to him, to mislead him and whisper to him until they destroy him(except those whom God, the Mighty and Exalted, protects.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 114)

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏ عَلَى حَافَتَيِ الصِّرَاطِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الرَّحِمُ وَ الْأَمَانَةُ فَإِذَا مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ الْوَصُولُ لِلرَّحِمِ الْمُؤَدِّي لِلْأَمَانَةِ لَمْ يَتَكَفَّأْ بِهِ فِي النَّارِ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۶)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “On the two sides of the Bridge (Ṣirāṭ) on the Day of Resurrection will be kinship and trustworthiness. Whoever maintains ties of kinship and fulfills trusts will be allowed to pass over it and will not be made to enter Hellfire.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 116)

 

6-2 Affluence and Removal of Poverty

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏‏ الْأَمَانَةُ تَجْلِبُ الْغِنَاءَ وَ الْخِيَانَةُ تَجْلِبُ الْفَقْرَ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۴)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Trustworthiness brings prosperity, and betrayal leads to poverty and deprivation.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 114)

 

6-3 Mercy (Divine Compassion)

 

اَلْكَاظِمُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ لَمَرْحُومُونَ مَا تَحَابُّوا وَ أَدَّوُا الْأَمَانَةَ وَ عَمِلُوا بِالْحَقِّ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۷)

Imam Musa al-Kazim (peace be upon him) said: “The people of the earth are under mercy so long as they love one another, fulfill trusts, and act upon what is right.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 117)

 

6-4 The well-being of this world and the Hereafter

 

قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ: … يَا بُنَيَّ أَدِّ الْأَمَانَةَ تَسْلَمْ لَكَ دُنْيَاكَ وَ آخِرَتُكَ وَ كُنْ أَمِيناً تَكُنْ غَنِيّاً. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۱۳ ص ۴۱۶)

“Luqmān said to his son: ‘My son! Return the trust to its owner so that you may be safe in this world and the Hereafter, and be trustworthy among people so that you will be free of need.’”

(Luqmān the Wise(

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 13, p. 416)

 

6-5 Increase in Sustenance (Expansion of Provision)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: اسْتِعْمَالُ الْأَمَانَةِ يَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ‏. (بحار الأنوار  ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۷۲)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Putting trustworthiness into practice increases one’s provision (sustenance).”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 172)

 

6-6 Goodness and Well-being (Prosperity and Happiness)

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏ لَا تَزَالُ أُمَّتِي بِخَيْرٍ مَا لَمْ يَتَخَاوَنُوا وَ أَدَّوُا الْأَمَانَةَ وَ آتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِذَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا ذَلِكَ ابْتُلُوا بِالْقَحْطِ وَ السِّنِينَ‏. (بحار الأنوار  ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۷۲)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “My Ummah will continue to live in comfort and prosperity so long as they do not betray one another, fulfill trusts, and give zakat; but if they fail to do so, they will be afflicted with famine and drought.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 172)

 

6-7 Honesty (Truthfulness, Sincerity)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: الْأَمَانَةُ تُؤَدِّي إِلَى الصِّدْقِ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۴۹)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Trustworthiness leads to truthfulness.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 49)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: إِذَا قَوِيَتِ الْأَمَانَةُ كَثُرَ الصِّدْقُ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۱۳۴)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Whenever trustworthiness is strengthened, truthfulness and friendship increase.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 134)

 

6-8 Faith and Religious Commitment (Faith and Piety)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: مَنْ‏ عَمِلَ‏ بِالْأَمَانَةِ فَقَدْ أَكْمَلَ الدِّيَانَةَ. (تصنيف غرر الحكم  ص ۲۵۱)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever acts upon trustworthiness has perfected his religious commitment.”

(Tasnif Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 251)

 

6-9 Salvation and Deliverance

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: أَقَلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ يُنْجِي الصِّدْقُ وَ الْأَمَانَةُ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۱۱۱)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The smallest thing that can save a person is truthfulness and trustworthiness.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 111)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: فَازَ مَنْ تَجَلْبَبَ الْوَقَارَ وَ ادَّرَعَ الْأَمَانَةَ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۳۵۷)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “He who has made loyalty his garment and trustworthiness his armor has attained victory.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 357)

 

7- Refraining from accusing a trustworthy person (not slandering an honest trustee)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: أَدِّ الْأَمَانَةَ إِذَا ائْتُمِنْتَ وَ لَا تَتَّهِمْ غَيْرَكَ إِذَا ائْتَمَنْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لَا أَمَانَةَ لَهُ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۷۷)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Fulfill the trust whenever a trust is placed with you; and if you entrust something to someone, do not accuse them. Indeed, faith is not complete for the one who has no trustworthiness.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 77)

 

8- Trustworthiness Test (Amanah Assessment)

 

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: لَا تَغْتَرُّوا بِصَلَاتِهِمْ وَ لَا بِصِيَامِهِمْ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ رُبَّمَا لَهِجَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَ الصَّوْمِ حَتَّى لَوْ تَرَكَهُ اسْتَوْحَشَ وَ لَكِنِ اخْتَبِرُوهُمْ عِنْدَ صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ. (كافی ج ‏۲ ص ۱۰۴)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Do not be deceived by people’s prayers and fasting. For a person may become so accustomed to prayer and fasting that if he abandons them, he feels fear. Rather, test them by their truthfulness and trustworthiness.”

(al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 104)

9- Breach of Trust (Betrayal of Trust / Misappropriation of Trust)

 

اَللهُ تَعالى:‏ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَخُونُوا اللَّهَ وَ الرَّسُولَ وَ تَخُونُوا أَماناتِكُمْ وَ أَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ. (أنفال/ ۲۷)

“O you who have believed! Do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts, while you know [the wrongness of it].”

(The Almighty God)

(Surah al-Anfāl, 8:27)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: مَنِ‏ اسْتَهَانَ‏ بِالْأَمَانَةِ وَقَعَ‏ فِي‏ الْخِيَانَةِ. (تصنيف غرر الحكم  ص ۲۵۱)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is negligent in trustworthiness falls into betrayal.”

(Tasnif Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 251)

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ يُحَقِّرُ الْأَمَانَةَ حَتَّى يَسْتَهْلِكَهَا إِذَا اسْتُودِعَهَا وَ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ خَانَ مُسْلِماً فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ مَالِهِ‏.‏ (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۷۲)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “He is not from us who considers trust insignificant, to the point that when something is entrusted to him, he destroys it. And he is not from us who betrays a Muslim in his wealth or his family.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 172)

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏‏ لَا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لَا أَمَانَةَ لَهُ‏. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۲ ص ۱۱۶)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Whoever is not trustworthy has no faith.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 116)

 

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: مَنِ ائْتَمَنَ خَائِناً عَلَى أَمَانَةٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ضَمَانٌ‏. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۵  ص ۲۴۲)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever entrusts a trust to a dishonest person will be deprived of God’s guarantee and covenant.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 75, p. 242)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: لَيْسَ‏ لِكَذُوبٍ‏ أَمَانَةٌ وَ لَا لِفَجُورٍ صِيَانَةٌ. (تصنيف غرر الحكم  ص ۲۲۰)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “It is not appropriate to entrust a trust to one who lies excessively, nor to place reliance on one who is deeply corrupt and immoral in preserving covenants and commitments.”

(Tasnif Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 220)

 

اَلرَسُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ:‏‏ يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ شَيْ‏ءٍ يُرْفَعُ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ الْأَمَانَةُ. (بحار الأنوار ج ‏۷۴ ص ۷۹)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “The first thing to disappear from this community will be trustworthiness.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 79)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: شَرُّ النَّاسِ‏ مَنْ‏ لَا يَعْتَقِدُ الْأَمَانَةَ وَ لَا يَجْتَنِبُ الْخِيَانَةَ.(عيون الحكم  ص ۲۹۴)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The worst of people is one who has no belief in trustworthiness and feels no restraint from betrayal.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 294)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: مَنْ عَمِلَ بِالْخِيَانَةِ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ الْأَمَانَةَ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۴۲۵)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever acts upon betrayal has wronged the trust itself.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 425)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: تَوَخَّ الصِّدْقَ وَ الْأَمَانَةَ وَ لَا تَكْذِبْ مَنْ كَذَبَكَ وَ لَا تَخُنْ مَنْ خَانَكَ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۲۰۳)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Choose truthfulness and trustworthiness, and do not count as a liar the one who calls you a liar; and do not betray the one who betrays you.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 203)

 

10- Conditions of a Trustworthy Person (Qualifications of an Amanah-keeper)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: لَا تَأْمَنَنَّ مَلُولاً. (نهج البلاغه  حکمت ۲۱۱)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Never consider trustworthy one who is dispirited and dead-hearted.”

(Nahj al-Balaghah, Saying 211)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: لَا أَمَانَةَ لِمَكُورٍ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۵۳۲)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “A deceitful and overly cunning person is not trustworthy.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 532)

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: لَا تَجْتَمِعُ أَمَانَةٌ وَ نَمِيمَةٌ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۵۳۳)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “Trustworthiness cannot coexist with gossip and tale-bearing.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 533)

 

11- The Afflictions (Pitfalls) of Trustworthiness

 

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: آفَةُ الْأَمَانَةِ الْخِيَانَةُ. (عيون الحكم  ص ۱۸۲)

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) said: “The affliction of trustworthiness is betrayal.”

(Uyun al-Hikam, p. 182)

اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: غَلَاءُ السِّعْرِ يُسِي‏ءُ الْخُلُقَ وَ يُذْهِبُ‏ الْأَمَانَةَ وَ يُضْجِرُ الْمَرْءَ الْمُسْلِمَ. (كافی ج ‏۵ ص ۱۶۴)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Rising prices corrupt people’s morals and conduct. They destroy trustworthiness and place Muslim people under hardship and distress.”

(al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 164)