The Quran about obligation

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

Freedom of will, independence in decision-making presupposes assuming certain obligations. In relationships between people and God, there are also certain obligations. In the Quran, the obligation is denoted by the root “a,hada.”

Having gained faith, people accept certain obligations before God, which must be completely fulfilled:

Who fulfil their obligation (bi,ahdihim) when they oblige, patient in in adversity, in harm and in hardship. Those are the ones who have been truthful, and they are those who are circumspect! (2:177)

But yes, those who are circumspect – fulfil given obligation (bi,ahdihi). Indeed, God loves those who are circumspect! (3:76)

And when you speak, be just, even if it is a near relative! Fulfil taken obligation (bi,ahdi) before God!

This is His testament for you that you may take thought! (6:152)

(Believers) who fulfil obligation (bi,ahdi) before God and do not break the covenant (13:20)

Those who keep entrusted and obligations (,ahdihim) (23:8)

Those who keep entrusted and comply with obligations (,ahdihim) (70:32)

Among the believers are men true to what they obliged (,aahdahu) before God. Among them are those who has fulfilled their vow, and those who await and do not alter (33:23)

However, unfortunately, there are a lot of precedents of violations of the obligations undertaken before God in history:

Who break the obligation (,ahda) before God after ratifying it and sever that which God has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers! (2:27)

Every time they oblige (,aahadu ,ahdan), a party of them threw it away? Indeed, most of them do not believe. (2:100)

Indeed, those who exchange the obligation (bi,ahdi) before God and their oaths for a small price will have no share in the hereafter. God will not speak to them or look at them on the day of standing before Him, nor will He purify them. They will have a painful punishment. (3:77)

Those who say, “Indeed, God has taken an obligation (,ahida) from us not to believe any messenger until he comes to us with a sacrifice consumed by fire!” (3:183)

And We did not find in most of them any obligation (,ahdin),! But indeed, We found that most of them are apostates! (7:102)

The ones with whom you made an obligation (,aahada), but then they break their obligation (,ahdihim) every time, they are not circumspect! (8:56)

Excepted are those among the polytheists whom you gave an obligation (,aahadtum) and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you. So complete the obligation (,ahdahum) with them to the appointed time! Indeed, God loves the circumspect! (9:4)

How can there be for the polytheists an obligation (ahdu) before God and with His messenger, except for those who gave an obligation at the forbidden for battles place for earthly worship? So as long as they are upright toward you, be upright toward them. Indeed, God loves the circumspect! (9:7)

And if they break their oaths after obligation (,ahdihim) and defame your duty, then fight the leaders of the closed nature! Indeed, there are no oaths to them – might be they will cease! (9:12)

But those who break the obligation (,ahda) before God after ratifying it and sever that which God has ordered to be joined and spread corruption on earth – for them is the curse, and they will have the worst home! (13:25)

Separately in the Quran, we are told about the events that happened with the children of Israel:

O children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you. Fulfil the obligation (bi,ahdi) before Me that I will fulfil My obligation (bi,ahdikum) before you. Beware of Me! (2:40)

They say, “Never will the fire touch us, except for counted days.”

Reply, “Have you taken an obligation (,ahda) from God, and He will never break His obligation (,ahdihi)? Or do you say about God that which you do not know?” (2:80)

And when the punishment descended upon them, they said, “O Moses, invoke for us your Lord because there is the obligation (,ahida) with you. If you remove the punishment from us, we will believe you, and we will surely let the children of Israel go with you!” (7:134)

So Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved.

He said, “O my nation! Did your Lord not make you a good promise? Then, was the obligation (,ahdu) too long for you, or did you wish that discontentment from your Lord descend upon you? So you broke the covenant with me!” (20:86)

And they said, “O sorcerer! Invoke for us your Lord by what He has obliged (,ahida) to you. Indeed, we will be guided.” (43:49)

An example of the behavior of the children of Israel serves as a visual edification for the faithful in the Quran, because they were also obliged in the form of prescriptions:

Fulfil your obligations (bi,ahdi) before God when you obliged! Do not break your oaths after confirming them! You have made God, over you, a surety! Indeed, God knows what you do! (16:91)

And do not exchange an obligation (bi,ahdi) before God for a small price. Indeed, what is with God is best for you, if only you could know! (16:95)

And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best, until he reaches maturity. And fulfil the obligations (bil,ahdi) completely! Indeed, the obligations (al,ahda) will be questioned! (17:34)

Has he looked into the hidden, or has he taken from the Gracious an obligation (,ahdan)? (19:78)

None will have an intercession except those who had taken from the Gracious an obligation (,ahdan)! (19:87)

Indeed, We had already had an obligation (,ahidna) from Adam before, but he forgot, and We found not in him firmness. (20:115)

And they had already obliged (,aahaduu) to God before not to turn their backs. God will ask about the obligation (,ahdu)! (33:15)

Obligations exist not only between people and between man and God. God also took certain obligations:

When Abraham was tried by his Lord with his words and he fulfilled them. God said, “Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.”

Abraham asked, “And of my descendants?”

God answered, “My obligation (,ahdi) does not include the obscurantists!”

When We made the firmly established house a secure place for meeting people, We prescribed: “And take from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer!.”

We charged Abraham and Ishmael: “Purify My house for those circling, devoting, kneeling and prostrating.” (2:124-125)

…And who is truer to his obligation (bi,ahdihi) than God? So rejoice in your deal which you have concluded with Him! This is a great attainment! (9:111)