Loyalty

I seek refuge with Allah[1] the All-Hearing the All- Knowing from the cursed Satan.  In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-merciful.   We praise Allah, thank Him, seek His help, guidance and forgiveness.  We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and the sinfulness of our deeds.   “Whomever Allah guides, then he is right-guided, and whomever He leads away into error, then you will never find for him a right-minded patron” (TMQ, 18:17)[2].

Today we talk about loyalty.  To start with, let everyone of us ask himself a question: “Am I loyal?” “Surely I am” will certainly be the answer.  Listen first to the coming five questions, then attempt to answer the above question once more:

Question (1): Have you really fulfilled all the promises and vows you have undertaken to Allah? Are you truly loyal to Him?

Question (2): Are you loyal to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS[3])?

Question (3): Are you loyal to the people you deal with in your daily life?

Question (4): Are you loyal to those who have done favors for you?

Question (5): Are you loyal to those you associate with all through your life?

“Are you loyal?” This is the question.

In our talk about loyalty, we have, as a motto, the Prophet’s hadith that says:

“Never will he be trustworthy (as a Muslim), he who so breaches his promise(s).”[4]

This hadith does not actually mean that you are not a Muslim if you are not loyal.  However, it means that your faith can never be complete if you do not have loyalty.  If you do not stick to your vows and promises, then how will you stick to your religion?

How can you be Loyal to Allah?

Mind that whenever we tackle one of the behaviors, we relate it to Allah, benevolence, honesty (in what Allah has entrusted to you), and loyalty, this is actually because behavior is part and parcel of our creed.  Besides, Islam is a comprehensive religion.  You have to adopt it as a whole and never leave any part of it because they all complete each other.  If you cared about your prayers and performed them on time, your behavior would be improved.  Consequently, if your behavior was improved, your creed would get stronger.  On the contrary, if you neglected any part of your religion, you will have but a distorted image.  Islam is an integrate system.  Hence, relating any behavior to Allah, to parents, or to women is never my innovation; rather it is there deep in the core of such faith. 

The greatest form of loyalty is to follow the orders and obligations of Allah.  The question that surely rushes across your mind now is: “How can I be loyal to Allah when I have never vowed or promised anything to Him?”  The answer to this question is to be seen not heard.  Turn your eyes around and observe all those bounties that Allah has blessed you with, “And you have no good thing but is from Allah” (TMQ, 16:53).

Doesn’t He, the Lord, deserve the loyalty of His worshippers then?  Isn’t loyalty an essential part of worship?  Consider a man who was brought up by his parents.  They did their best to bring him up and spent a lot of money on him, and after all that, he turned to be ungrateful to them?  What would you call him? Similarly, those who do not care about performing their prayers on time are being ungrateful to Allah and the woman who refuses to wear hijab[5]is also not being loyal to Him.  

Now remains the question: “How can I be loyal to Allah?”

The answer to this question comes in three parts:

• To have strong faith in Him.

• To work honestly for His sake. 

• To obey His orders and to avoid His prohibitions.

If you fulfill those three parts, then you are loyal to Allah.  Allah says what can be translated as, “O Children of Israel! Call to mind the (special) favor which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your Covenant with Me as I fulfill My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me” (TMQ, 2:40). 

Allah also says what can be translated as, “Verily those who plight their fealty to thee do no less than plight their fealty to Allah: the Hand of Allah is over their hands: then anyone who violates his oath, does so to the harm of his own soul, and anyone who fulfils what he has covenanted with Allah, Allah will soon grant him a great Reward” (TMQ, 48:10).  Never violate your oath with Allah!

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was the most loyal to Allah (SWT[6]).  He used to pray all night until his feet were swollen.  “Hasn’t Allah forgiven you for your past sins and for the coming ones too?” asked Aisha.  “Shouldn’t I be grateful to Allah?”[7]Answered the Prophet; an answer full of gratitude and loyalty to Allah. 

When anyone does you a favor, you always show signs of gratitude and love towards him.  Similarly, why don’t you show the same feelings towards your Lord although He showers you with His favors all the time?

“And be steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity” (TMQ, 2:43).  Were you loyal in this respect?

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze” (TMQ, 24:30).  Again, were you loyal and obeyed this order?  “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof” (TMQ, 24:31).  The hijab! Were you, ladies, loyal to Him?

“Among the Believers are men who have been true to their Covenant with Allah: of them some have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some (still) wait: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least” (TMQ, 33:23).

Originally, this ayah was revealed describing Anas Ibnul-Nadr.  Anas did not witness the battle of Badr as he was on a journey at that time.  After the battle, he said, “By Allah, if Allah made me a witness to another battle, I will show Him my best.”  Days passed and it was the Day of Uhud.  Muslims started to withdraw and run towards Madina.  Yet, Anas did not.  On the contrary, he was the only one to advance towards the enemy.  On his way, he met Saad Ibn-Mouaaz who asked him: “O, Anas! Where are you going?”,  “To paradise! I swear by my Lord, I do smell its fragrance near the Mountain of Uhud”, replied Anas.  Later, Anas was found dead in front of the Mountain of Uhud with more than eighty stabs in his body.  No one could recognize him except his sister who knew him by his fingers (he had an amputated finger).  As a result, the above ayah was revealed.

On the other hand, those who do not stick to their promises are described in the ayah which can be translated as, “Amongst them are men who made a Covenant with Allah, that if He bestowed on them of His bounty, they would give (largely) in charity, and be truly amongst those who are righteous.  But when He did bestow of His bounty, they became covetous, and turned back (from their Covenant), averse (from its fulfillment).  So He hath put as a consequence Hypocrisy into their hearts, (to last) till the Day whereon they shall meet Him: because they broke their Covenant with Allah, and because they lied (again and again)” (TMQ, 9:75-77).

Try to think about this ayah and to apply it to yourself. 

Many of us have promised Allah and did not fulfill the promises: “If I get married, I will abandon all sins and lower my gaze”, “If I get married, I will wear hijab”, “If I get this job, I will care to perform al-Fajr prayer on time”, “During summer, I will recite Qur’an regularly.  Now, I am so busy with my studies”.  “Amongst them are men who made a Covenant with Allah” (TMQ, 9:75).

“He hath put as a consequence Hypocrisy into their hearts” (TMQ, 9:77).   See how severe the punishment of those who do not stick to their promises is!

Al-Bukhari narrated a hadith about 3 men; one was leprous, another was bald and a third one was blind.  It is a long hadith telling the story of an angel that appeared before the eyes of the leprous man.   The leprous man said to him: “I wish that Allah would change the color of my skin and face.”  The angel rubbed over his face and skin so they became better.  “What sort of wealth would you like to have?” asked the angel.  “I would like to own a lot of camels”, replied the man.  So, he became very wealthy and was granted a lot of camels.  The angel then went to the bald man and asked him about his demands.  “I want to have hair”, answered the man.  The angel rubbed over his head, giving him heavy hair.  “What sort of wealth would you like to have”, asked the angel.  “I would like to owe a lot of cows”, replied the man.  So, he became very wealthy and was granted a lot of cows.  Finally, the angel went to the blind man and asked him the same questions as the other two.  “I would like to have my eyesight back”, answered the man who was in turn granted his eyesight back by a rub from the angel.  “What sort of wealth would you like to have”, asked the angel.  “I would like to own a lot of sheep”, replied the man.  Similar to the other two, he became very wealthy and was granted a lot of sheep.

The angel then returned to the three men in the shape of a poor man.  He went firstly to the once leprous man and asked him for one of his camels to help him return to his homeland.  Yet, the man refused.  “You previously owned nothing, I think”, said the angel.  “On the contrary, I inherited them from my ancestors”, answered the leprous man.  “If you are a liar, Allah will turn you back to your previous state”, said the angel.  Then, he went to the once bald man and asked him for the same thing and got the same answer: “I inherited them from my ancestors.”  Finally, he went to the once blind man.  “Take from my fortune whatever you want” was his answer.  “By Allah, I was previously blind.  It’s Allah who gave me back my eyesight and granted me all this fortune.  I really own nothing of it.  It is all but the blessing of Allah (AWJ)[8]”, the man went on.  The angel said: “Keep your fortune.  You three have been tested.  Allah is pleased with you, and is angry with your friends.”

Which one of the three men are you?  Consider the life your ancestors led.   Did they have those luxurious cars we own nowadays?  Were they granted all those blessings we have?  Have you really “inherited them from ‘your’ ancestors”? Unfortunately, many people think this way today.  Where is your loyalty towards Allah for all the bounties he has bestowed on you?

Furthermore, there are many other promises and vows from you to Allah; one of which is considering Satan your enemy.  Allah says what can be translated as, “Did I not enjoin on you, O you Children of Adam, that you should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?” (TMQ, 36:60).   Have you fulfilled this promise?  Do you really consider Satan your enemy?

On the other hand, a vow is considered a promise from you to Allah that you must stick to.  Allah says what can be translated as, “They perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide” (TMQ, 76:7).

One day a man came to the Prophet and said to him, “My sister vowed to perform the Hajj, but she died (before fulfilling it).”  The Prophet said, “Would you not have paid her debts if she had any?”  The man said, “Yes.”  The Prophet said, “So pay Allah’s Rights, as He is more entitled to receive His rights.”[9]

Vowing by Allah is also one of the promises that you have to fulfill.  Allah says what can be translated as, “Fulfill the Covenant of Allah when you have entered into it, and break not your oaths after you have confirmed them: indeed you have made Allah your surety; for Allah knows all that you do” (TMQ, 16:91).

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) says, “Allah (SWT) says, ‘I will be against three persons on the Day of Judgment: One who makes a covenant in My name and then proves treacherous…’” [10]

It talks about a man who vowed by the name of Allah then did not stick to his word.  Count for yourself how many times you vowed by Allah and did not stick to your word.  Would you like Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) to be against you on the Day of Judgment?

Again I ask: Are you loyal to Allah?  To be so, you must have strong faith and sincerity, and you must obey his orders and avoid his prohibitions.  

How can you be loyal to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)?

The common question that arouses here is: “How can I be loyal to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), when I, unlike his companions, live in a different age than his?” The answer is simply, “By abiding to his sunnah”. 

The companions were the most loyal to the Prophet (SAWS).  They liked to stick to every word he said.  An example for that is the story of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) with Suraka during his Hijra journey (The migration of Prophet Muhammad SAWS from Makkah to Madina).  While migrating from Makkah to Madina, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was followed by Suraka who wanted to bring him back to Quraysh.  Whenever Suraka would come near the Prophet (SAWS), the Prophet (SAWS) would say, “O my Lord! You are capable of keeping me safe from him.  O Lord!  Please do this in the way You like.  You are truly the All- Powerful”.  Then, Suraka, the skillful knight, would fall off the back of his horse.  Then, he would get up and ride his horse again; and whenever he would start getting near the Prophet (SAWS), the Prophet (SAWS) would say the same supplication, so Suraka would fall again.  When the same scenario was repeated for the third time, Suraka realized that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was protected and that he would not be able to catch him.  “Keep me safe”, pleaded Suraka.  He was sure now that he would not get the 100 she-camels; the gift that was to be granted to anyone who caught Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  Thus, he asked Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) to give him some money.  “I will give you the bracelets of Khosrau (the jewelry that Khosrau - the king of Persia - used to wear on his hands)”, said the Prophet (SAWS).  Accordingly, Suraka, who later reverted to Islam, left. 

Years passed and Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) died, followed by Abu-Bakr, then Omar Ibnul-Khattab.  The city of Mada’in was conquered and the bracelets and treasures of Khosrau were carried to the Prophet’s Mosque.  Standing on the pulpit, Omar Ibnul-Khattab started crying and said: “Where is Suraka Ibn-Malek? Where is Suraka Ibn-Malek?”  Then, he held the bracelets of Khosrau and said: “Here are the bracelets you were promised to take long ago.”  As Suraka took the bracelets, all those in the mosque started crying.  Omar fulfilled the promise that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) had undertaken 25 years ago.  See how loyal Omar was to Prophet Muhammad!

Now let us shift to the loyalty of Abu-Bakr Assiddiq.  One day, while walking with a poor man, Jabir Ibn-Abdullah, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said: “O Jabir! If we got the fortunes of Al-Bahrain, I would give you so and so and so (meaning lots of it).”  However, the Prophet (SAWS) died before the Muslims could obtain such fortunes.  Succeeding the Prophet (SAWS), Abu-Bakr stood one day among the people and said: “Whoever that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is indebted to should come forward.”  So, Jabir went to him and told him about the Prophet’s promise to him.   Jabir says, “Abu-Bakr took an amount of money in his hand and gave them to me.  I counted the money and found it to be 500 dirhams.  I was about to leave, when Abu-Bakr said, ‘Wait! Take twice as that (twice the amount of money)’”.   “Why am I to take all of that?” asked Jabir.  “Prophet Muhammad told you ‘I would give you so and so and so’.  Thus, you should take thrice”, answered Abu-Bakr.  See how loyal to the Prophet (SAWS) Abu-Bakr was! 

What is more impressive is the image of the companions martyring one after the other out of their loyalty to the Prophet (SAWS).  In the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (SAWS) said, “Who will defend me, and get paradise as a reward?”  Yazeed Ibnul-Sakan, one of the young men of al-Ansar (the Helpers of Madinah), hurried towards the Prophet (SAWS) and kept fighting his enemies until he fell dead.  “Don’t place his cheek on the ground.  Place it over my leg”, called the Prophet (SAWS).  Then, he raised his face up to the sky and said: “O, Allah! You are witness that Yazeed Ibnul-Sakan has been most loyal (has done his best)!  You are witness that Yazeed Ibnul-Sakan has been most loyal (has done his best)!”

What about you?  Were you truly loyal to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)?  Among the teachings of his sunnah is to perform all your prayers in the mosque.  Do you really do so?  Do you care about reciting the noble Qur’an as he had ordered?  On the Day of Judgment, he will go on saying what can be translated as, “Then the Messenger will say: “O my Lord! Truly my people took this Qur’an for just foolish nonsense” (TMQ, 25:30).

What do you really do to be loyal to the Prophet (SAWS)?  How would you meet him on the Day of Judgment when you have never been loyal to him?  He had been beaten, injured and harmed for your sake; so that you would be born a Muslim.  What have you done for him in return?  Where is your loyalty to him?

How can you be loyal to people?

The prophet (SAWS) says, “Truly, Muslims live by their commitments.”[11]  Hence, if you agreed with someone on something, you have to stick to that agreement. 

He also says, “The signs (i.e.  characteristics) of a hypocrite are three…Whenever he is entrusted (with something), he betrays.”[12]

Allah says in the noble Qur’an what can be translated as, “…and fulfill (every) engagement, for (every) engagement, will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)” (TMQ, 17:34).

Let us review the different forms of dealing with people and how we can be loyal to them in each form. 

Money:

What a big number of problems money causes!

In the time of the Islamic victory[13] of the Levant, Muslims forced the Romans to leave and then called upon the people of Hemss to revert to Islam.  However, they refused to do so and preferred to pay the tribute instead.  After they had collected the money needed for the tribute and paid it, the Romans re-attacked Hemss.  Feeling how hazardous it is to remain in Hemss, the Muslim leaders decided to retreat, get more support, and then return back to Hemss.  Nevertheless, what did they do before they withdrew? They gave the people of Hemss the tribute back.  As a result, all the people of Hemss embraced Islam.  The Muslim army did not leave.  The people of Hemss joined the Muslim army in defending the city from the Romans.  What a great event! Loyalty made all the people of Hemss embrace Islam. 

What is the real problem that Muslims face today?  The Western communities do not care about our acts of worship.  On the contrary, they observe us in terms of our behavior; how far do we stick to our promises?  How do we make deals?  What about our behavior?  I heard of a foreigner who reverted to Islam.  Afterwards, he went for Hajj.  “Thanks to Allah that I embraced Islam before seeing the way Muslims behave”, said the man.  What a real scandal!

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, “A martyr will be granted pardon for all sins except unpaid debt.” [14]

See how debts are of a high importance to Allah!  See how important it is that you pay them back.  It is important to the extent that leaders of armies used to call upon indebted mujahedeen[15] (Muslim soldiers) asking them to stay home.

Hence, it is forbidden in Islam that you borrow money except in vital cases.  However, in our societies, a housewife might borrow a sum of money to buy a cell phone, even though she rarely leaves her home.  It is just that she wants to imitate her friends who all have one.  Similarly, a university student might change her cell phone every six months, only because she loves to change its color.  Who do you think will pay back all those debts?

All these cases can be listed under the headline “loyalty”.  We have to take serious steps towards changing today.

Unfortunately, paying loans back is still a problem for Muslims.  Many people borrow money from banks then do not pay them back.  I really wonder how this can take place in a Muslim country like ours; loans that are never paid back, forged checks, agreements between corporations based on infidelity, a corporation asking its legal consultant to make a loophole in the contract that it will sign with another corporation; this loophole helps the corporation betray its agreement with its partner.  It is really shocking that people these days set plans to betray and to be disloyal to each other. 

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, “Truly, whoever takes up a loan without having the intention of defraying it to the creditor, (that is, deceived the creditor until he took his money) then dies, will be called by Allah into account on the Day of Judgment as a thief.”[16]

This hadith reminds me of those who buy cell phone lines with the intention of not paying the bill if it was a lot and that they would buy another one instead.  On the Day of Judgment, those people will meet Allah as thieves.  Do you accept to meet him as a thief?

Appointments:

The majority of us have problems with appointments.  We might be late for an hour or two, or we might not go at all and without apologizing.  Abdullah Ibn-Abu-Al-Hamsaa’ related this incidence: “Before the Prophet’s revelation (before he was sent by Allah as a Messenger), I had a purchase business with him.  I did not pay a part of the money, so, I promised to bring it to him at a certain place.  It happened that I forgot all about the appointment and remembered after 3 days.  I hurried to the place and amazingly enough I found him there.  ‘O lad! You have made it so hard for me.  I have been waiting for you here for three days.’” It is really wonderful that any behavior we talk about is practically applied by the Prophet (SAWS).  

I want to give a piece of advice to parents who promise their children, then do not fulfill their promises.  They promise them to go on a picnic, but do not go.  They claim they did not go because of the cold weather, or because the place they want to visit is closed.  Certainly, those children will follow the model of their parents.  When they grow up, they will never fulfill their promises and will never be loyal.  I call upon all parents to stick to their promises to their children.

How can you be loyal to those who do you favors?

Do you still remember those people who have done you favors all through your life? Have you ever tried to recall their names so that you can phone them, ask about them, and thank them?

Even after ten years had passed, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) remained loyal to a reject of faith who once did him a favor.  At the beginning of the call for Islam, the Prophet, as well as his companions, was being tortured and harmed by the people of Makkah.  However, one of them, Abu-Al-Bukhturi Ibn-Hisham, sided with the Prophet on the day of violating the pact.  Despite being a rejecter of faith, he took an honest stand; he backed Muslims and defended them.  Days passed and Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), together with the companions, migrated from Makkah to Madinah.  Ten years later, while the Prophet was busy preparing the army for the battle of Badr, he stood among the companions and said: “If any of you met Abu-Al-Bukhturi Ibn-Hisham, do not kill him.  He did so and so when we were in Makkah.” He still remembered the favor of the man although ten whole years have passed.  

During the battle, one of the companions found Abu-Al-Bukhturi standing in his face and next to him another man.  He left Abu-Al-Bukhturi and went on fighting the other man.  Abu-Al-Bukhtri was very much astonished.  He asked the companion:

“Why don’t you fight me?”

“Prophet Muhammad ordered us not to kill you.”

“Why?”

“As a sort of paying back the favor you did us on the day of the pact.”

“So, what if I asked you to leave this man safe too (meaning the man standing next to him)?”

“No, the Prophet of Allah ordered us to leave no one safe but you.”

“But I will fight you.”

“Then, I will run away from you.”

Then, the companion started running from Abu-Al-Bukhturi.  He ran so as not to violate the Prophet’s words.  Yet, Abu-Al-Bukhturi thought that he was running out of fear.  He ran until Abu-Al-Bukhturi was very near to him and was about to kill him.  So, the companion fought with him and took his life.  Then, shivering, the companion hurried to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  “O Messenger of Allah, if he hadn’t tried to kill me, I would have never done so,” the companion said while trembling.  “May Allah forgive you,” replied the Prophet (SAWS).  See how loyal the Prophet is to that rejecter of faith!

How can you be loyal to your teacher?

Unfortunately, most of us are ungrateful to our teachers!

Imam Ahmad Ibn-Hanbal[17] said: “Every night, I pray for ash-Shafi'y[18] and ask Allah to forgive him.  I have been doing so for thirty years.”

“I usually pray for Abu-Hanifa[19] before my father in every prayer”, said the student of Abu-Hanifa.  He learnt to be loyal from his teacher who always said: “Out of loyalty to my teacher Hammad, I have never stretched my legs in the direction of his house; though his house is seven allies away from mine.”

Have you ever thought about visiting your school teachers out of gratitude to them?  What about those who taught you about your religion, those who taught you Qur’an, or those who taught you even one single ayah?  Aren’t you indebted to anyone who has bestowed a favor on you?

What about your parents?

One day, a man asked Prophet Muhammad (SAWS): “My parents have died.  Is there still a way I could be grateful to them through?”  “Yes.  Pray for them, ask Allah to forgive them, fulfill the promises they made in their life, keep in touch with their relatives, and be nice to their friends”, answered the Prophet (SAWS). 

Those who do you favors are many.  

You are surely indebted to the traffic police officer who regulates traffic and helps everyone attend this lesson peacefully.  Out of gratefulness to him, you should stick to the traffic lights and avoid parking your car in the no-parking areas. 

How can you be loyal to those whom you associate with?

By those I mean, your schoolmates, your university colleagues, your ex-neighbors (those who have moved to another residence), and those among whom you have been brought up.   Are you loyal to them all?

However, the greatest of all is being loyal to your wife.  

The Prophet (SAWS) said: “The (solemnest of) pledges that are most entitled to be honored are those by which you were given the right to copulate” [20]

Have you ever asked yourself: “Why have I married this woman?”

Have you paid her the due dowry?  Have you provided a suitable place for her to live in?  Do you really treat her well?  I do warn everyone from beating their wives, harming them or preventing them from visiting their families.

One of the companions suffered a lot because his wife sometimes shouted loudly at him.  He decided to go to Omar Ibnul-Khattab (Emir of Believers) to complain to him about it.  As he came near Omar’s house, he heard Omar’s wife talking to him in a very loud voice.  Having found the Emir of Believers suffering from the same problem, the man decided to go back home.  As the man turned around, Omar opened the door.  “Why did you come? And why were you leaving before even knocking the door?” asked Omar.  When the man told him his story, Omar said: “She has always borne me.  She brings up my children, washes my clothes, and cleans my house.  She does all those tasks although she is not obliged to do any of them.  She has always been patient with me.  Am I not to bear her loud voice for some time?”

Consider Prophet Muhammad’s loyalty to Khadijah.  Fourteen years after her death, and on the day of conquering Makkah, amidst all the responsibilities upon his shoulders, the Prophet (SAWS) saw an old lady coming towards him.  He left all the people who wanted to sit with him and went to sit with her.  He took off his coat and spread it for her to sit on.  He remained one whole hour talking with her and forgot all about the people around.  As he went back home, Aisha, who had watched the whole scene, asked: “O Prophet! Who is that lady?” “She is Khadeeja’s friend.  She used to visit us at home during her life”, answered Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  “So, what were you talking about?” returned Aisha.  “We were recalling the past days; the days of Khadijah”, replied the Prophet (SAWS).  Aisha got very jealous.  “Do you still remember that old lady until now; when she had died and Allah had given you a better wife?” said she.  The Prophet (SAWS) answered: “No no.  I swear by Allah, I was never given me a wife better than her.  She stood by my side when everyone left me aside.  She believed in me when everyone belied me.”  See how loyal the Prophet (SAWS) was to his wife; even after her death!

However, still there is a worse case than being unloyal to your wife; namely betraying your wife. 

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, “Whoso marries a woman and commits himself to give her a dower, whether it is a huge sum or small, while he intends, in his heart of hearts, not to pay it to her, hence betrays her, then if he dies without correcting this, he will encounter Allah (SWT) as an adulterer.”[21]

See how grave it is to betray your wife!

The key of the Ka’ba was owned by a tribe in Makkah called Bani Abdul-Dar.  Othman Ibn-Talha, a man of this tribe, stood one day at the door of the Ka’ba, allowing the nobles of Makkah to enter and pray inside.  Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) stood among the people and said: “Would you allow me to enter so that I can pray inside?” “Never”, replied Othman who was a disbeliever.  “O Othman! Allow me in”, said the prophet (SAWS).  “No, I won’t”, replied Othman.  “O Othman, allow me in.  May be one day I get the key and never give it back to you”, said the Prophet (SAWS).  “If that day ever came, then death is better for me than life”, replied Othman and insisted on preventing Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) from going inside the Ka’ba.  Days passed, and Makkah was conquered by the Muslims.  Othman Ibn-Talha reverted to Islam.  “O Othman! Where’s the key of the Ka’ba?” asked the Prophet (SAWS).  “It is with my mother.  I will go get it quickly”, replied Othman.  However, his mother refused to give him the key and reminded him of the abovementioned incidence.  “If he got the key, he won’t give it back”, said she, “This key is the source of our pride.” Then, she hid it in her clothes.  Othman who was now a Muslim tried with her many times but did not succeed.  When he was late, Omar Ibnul-Khattab went to his home to see what was wrong with him.  He knocked at the door and said: “O Othman! Where is the key?”  The mother, horrified of Omar, got the key out and gave it to her son.  Othman took the key to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  Holding the key in his hand, the Prophet (SAWS) said: “O Othman! Do you still remember that day, when I told you ‘May be one day I get the key and never give it back to you ‘?” Othman stood speechless.  Al-Abbas, the Prophet’s uncle, came to the Prophet and said: “O Prophet! Give me the key so that I place it in the custody of the family of Abdul-Muttaleb.”  However, the Prophet’s answer was: “O Abbas! This can never be.  It is a day of loyalty.  It is a day of loyalty.  You take the key, Bani Abdul-Dar.  Only an oppressor can take it from you.”  Then, he gave Othman the key back.  Until this moment, the key is still owned by the tribe of Bani Abdul-Dar and up to this moment Muslims are still loyal to the Prophet (SAWS).  Out of loyalty to the Prophet’s words, no one, not even a king or a president, can enter the Ka’ba unless he takes the permission of Bani Abdul-Dar.  It was a lesson by the Prophet (SAWS) to us all: Be loyal even to those you do not like.

The aforementioned are the five different forms of loyalty: to Allah (SWT), to the Prophet (SAWS), to people, to those who do you favors, and to those whom you associate with.  

Enough honoring to this behavior is that Allah praises Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS) for having it, “And of Ibrahim who fulfilled his engagements” (TMQ, 53:37). 

What engagements did Prophet Ibrahim (AS) fulfill?  He fulfilled all the engagements; all the five aforementioned ones.

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