The Book of Suretyship

Chapter
The Definition and Meaning of Suretyship

Suretyship means guaranteeing an obligation: undertaking to attend to a matter and assume responsibility for it. In Arabic, a guarantor has seven names: za‘īm, kafīl, qabīl, adhīn, hamīl, sabīr, and dāmin. The corresponding past-tense verbs, present-tense verbs, and verbal nouns are: za‘ama–yaz‘umu–za‘āmatan, giving za‘īm; kafala–yakfulu–kafālatan, giving kafīl; qabala–yaqbulu–qabālatan, giving qabīl; adhina–ya’dhanu–idhānatan, giving adhīn; hamala–yahmilu–hamālatan, giving hamīl; sabara–yasbiru–sabran, giving sabīr; and damina–yadmanu–damānan, giving dāmin. All have the same meaning. These terms occur in the Quran, in the Sunnah and transmitted reports, and in poetry accepted as linguistic evidence; their usage is established by these sources.

Concerning the term za‘īm, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“Whoever brings it shall have a camel-load, and I guarantee it.” [Joseph: 72]

He, Most High, also says:

“Ask them which of them will vouch for that.” [al-Qalam: 40]

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “The guarantor is liable.” He also said: “The Hour will not come until the leader of a people is the basest among them,”