The idea of a covenant is used in different ways in the to describe various relationships and agreements. In many verses we read about God’s ancient covenant with humanity, that in return for God’s protection, help and guidance, we need to abide by his rules and accept his advice. ‘And when We made a covenant with the children of Israel: You shall not serve any but Allah and [you shall do] good to your parents, and to the near of kin and to the orphans and the needy, and you shall speak to men in virtuous ways and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate. Then you turned back except a few of you and you must turn aside’ (2.83). We read: ‘It is not piety, that you turn your faces to the East and to the West. True piety is this: to believe in God, and the Last Day… to give of one’s substance…and to ransom the slave, to perform prayer, to pay alms. And they who fulfill their covenant…and endure with fortitude’ (2.177). There is also: ‘…but He causes not to stray, except those who forsake [the path], those who break Allah’s covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: These cause loss to themselves’ (2.27).
Part of this covenant is to accept God’s messengers: ‘Certainly We made a covenant with the children of Israel and We sent to them apostles; whenever there came to them an apostle with what their souls did not desire, some they called liars and some they killed’ (5.70).
Not surprisingly God is not impressed with this behaviour: ‘O children of Adam! When messengers come to you from among you, who convey my verses, then those who take heed and amend will have neither fear nor regret’ (7.35). A theme is often that the covenant with the Jews is broadened into a covenant with all mankind, especially after the Jews did not behave as they ought in terms of their original agreement with God. Obeying God is vital if there is a covenant. This covenant is established through allegiance to the Messenger, and through obedience to the teachings he brings: ‘Surely those who swear allegiance to you do but swear allegiance to Allah; the hand of Allah is above their hands. Therefore whoever breaks [his faith], he breaks it only to the injury of his own soul, and whoever fulfils what he has covenanted with Allah, He will grant him a mighty reward’ (48.10).
God has also made a covenant with his prophets: ‘And call to mind when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you [Muhammad], and from Noah and Abraham, and Moses and Jesus, son of Mary, and We indeed took from them a solemn covenant’ (33.7). This covenant with the prophets is explained in this verse: ‘And when Allah made a covenant through the prophets…an apostle comes to you verifying that which is with you, you must believe in him, and you must aid him. He said: “Do you affirm and accept My compact in this?” They said: “We do affirm.” He said: “Then bear witness, and I shall bear witness too. Whoever therefore turns back after this, these it is that are the transgressors” (3.81–82). But the covenant only goes so far: ‘And when his Lord tried Abraham with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said, “Surely I will make you a leader (imam) of men.” Abraham, said, “And of my offspring?” “My covenant does not include the unjust”, said He’ (2.124).
to describe various relationships and agreements. In many verses we read about God’s ancient covenant with humanity, that in return for God’s protection, help and guidance, we need to abide by his rules and accept his advice. ‘And when We made a covenant with the children of Israel: You shall not serve any but Allah and [you shall do] good to your parents, and to the near of kin and to the orphans and the needy, and you shall speak to men in virtuous ways and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate. Then you turned back except a few of you and you must turn aside’ (2.83). We read: ‘It is not piety, that you turn your faces to the East and to the West. True piety is this: to believe in God, and the Last Day… to give of one’s substance…and to ransom the slave, to perform prayer, to pay alms. And they who fulfill their covenant…and endure with fortitude’ (2.177). There is also: ‘…but He causes not to stray, except those who forsake [the path], those who break Allah’s covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: These cause loss to themselves’ (2.27).
mithaq
