Faithfulness to a Trust

Guarding what is entrusted to you and returning it to its owner is the most basic sign of trustworthiness.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was known for his trustworthiness, and the people of Mecca entrusted their valuables to him. On the night of the Hijra, as he left Mecca, he left Ali behind to return these trusts to their owners. He often said in his sermons that whoever does not honor a trust has no faith. Guarding a trust means being faithful not only to objects, but to a promise given, a secret shared, and a confidence held.

What is the hadith source of this sunnah?

This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.

• HS3/11 İbn Hişâm, Sîret, III, 10
• B2681 Buhârî, Şehâdât, 28
• HM12410 İbn Hanbel, III, 134

More sunnahs in Social Life

As a table with references: Social Life sunnahs.

• Looking After the Neighbor: Treating the neighbor well and looking after them is a sunnah the Prophet valued greatly.
• Visiting the Sick: Visiting and consoling sick friends and loved ones is a beautiful part of the sunnah.
• Exchanging Gifts: Giving a gift and receiving it graciously nourishes love between hearts.
• Saying That You Love Someone: Telling someone you love them is a sunnah the Prophet recommended.
• Honoring the Guest: Meeting guests with a smiling face and generosity is one of the beautiful reflections of the sunnah.
• Forgiveness and Keeping One's Word: Forgiving the one who wrongs you and answering with kindness was the way of the Prophet.
• Giving Charity: Giving charity, however little, protects its giver and softens the heart.
• Wanting for Your Brother Too: Wanting for your brother what you want for yourself is a sign of mature faith.
• Seeking Knowledge: Allah eases the path to Paradise for one who sets out in search of knowledge.
• Never Saying "I Have None": A generosity that made a principle of never saying "I have none" when asked for something.