Continuation of the Explanation of the Chapter on the Characteristics of the Hypocrite
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : First, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) associated it with breaking a covenant, lying in speech, and being treacherous in litigation, what distinguishes this from its counterparts? Nothing distinguishes it. Furthermore, breaking a promise may result in harm to the one promised, which makes this matter undoubtedly forbidden.
Moreover, it is a characteristic of hypocrisy,Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 10:131.
Furthermore, it leads to a lack of trust in the Muslim community, if this is the habit of its people: that they make promises but do not fulfill them.
Therefore, the correct view is that fulfilling a promise is obligatory, and breaking a promise is forbidden except out of dire necessity, for dire necessity has rulings attached to it.
Moreover, it is a characteristic of hypocrisy,
And whoever imitates a people is one of them.
ومن تشبه بقوم فهو منهمFurthermore, it leads to a lack of trust in the Muslim community, if this is the habit of its people: that they make promises but do not fulfill them.
Therefore, the correct view is that fulfilling a promise is obligatory, and breaking a promise is forbidden except out of dire necessity, for dire necessity has rulings attached to it.