Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 302
302 not your covenants a means of attaining ulterior purposes; or your foot will slip after it has been firmly established, and you will be faced with evil consequences” (16:93,95). Treaties should bind people together in beneficent co-operation and should make them stronger. If made a means of deceit, they would divide and disrupt peoples, and all effort and labour spent on them would be wasted, resulting only in loss. This is followed by an admonition that obligations undertaken by treaty or covenant should not be evaded or repudiated under the temptation of securing some advantage (16:96). The performance of obligations undertaken is a moral and spiritual duty which secures permanent benefits, whereas any advantage gained through evasion or a default in the performance of an obligation will be only temporary and will in the end do harm. This is reinforced with the reminder: “That which you have shall pass away, but that which is with Allah is lasting. We will certainly give those who are steadfast their reward according to the best of their works” (16:97). It is an obligation of a Muslim state to go to the assistance of Muslims who are subjected to persecution on account of their faith. But even this obligation is subject to the strict observance of existing treaties and engagements, which must be scrupulously carried out. “If they seek your help in the