Trust Unfulfilled (Golden Words of Allah – Episode 53)

“The soul of the believer is suspended because of his debt until it is paid off.”

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All perfect praise is due to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the Lord of the Worlds. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad (pbuh), is His slave and final Messenger.

Introduction
Islam’s commercial ethic is built on integrity, trust, and transparency. In a world where business deals can be sealed with a transfer, a promise, or even a handshake, Islam holds the believer to the highest moral standard: fulfil your promises or be held accountable, in this world and the next.

Collecting money from someone to deliver a product or service, be it supplies, contracts, or investment and then failing to fulfill it, whether by negligence, deceit, or unknown excuse, is not just poor practice; it is a serious breach of trust (amanah). If the business collapses, if the customer dies, or if the supplier disappears with the funds, whatever the circumstances may be, the money does not become halal by default. It remains a debt owed and a heavy one.

Allah says: “Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:58)

Similarly in another surah: “O you who believe! Fulfil (all) contracts.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:1)

If someone dies before receiving what they paid for, and the seller remains silent or keeps the funds, they are answerable before Allah. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever takes people’s money intending to repay it, Allah will help him repay it. But whoever takes it intending to waste it, Allah will destroy him.” Narrated by Bukhari, 2387)

Even if the customer is no longer alive, their right remains. It becomes a debt owed to their heirs or their estate. And if forgotten, it remains a liability that may appear on the Day of Judgement, where debts are paid not with currency, but with hasanat and sayyi’at (good and bad deeds).

One of the first things a soul will be asked about is unsettled rights. The Prophet (pbuh) warned: “The soul of the believer is suspended because of his debt until it is paid off.”(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1078 – Hasan)

What Should Be Done?

If the customer is alive, you are obligated to refund, fulfil, or reach a fair settlement. Also, If the customer has died, the money must be returned to their family or, if unknown, given as charity on their behalf with the sincere intention of returning their right. If you’ve used the money and can no longer afford it, it remains a debt on you until paid, even if over time.

Money held in trust, be it in business or in any circumstances, is not yours to consume. Every dirham or naira taken without right is a burden carried into the grave. Contracts are not merely paperwork, they are moral and divine commitments. Delay is injustice. Silence is deception. And Allah is never unaware.

“Indeed, Allah commands justice and the fulfilment of trusts.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90)

And Allah knows best.

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