“But whoever seeks beyond that—it is they who are the transgressors.
And those who honour their trusts and their covenants.”

This entails that doing so is obligatory, because only those possessing all these qualities are exempted from blame. Hence, only obligatory duties are mentioned here. Likewise, near the beginning of Surah al-Mu’minūn, He says:

“It is they who are the inheritors,
Who will inherit Firdaws (Paradise), where they will remain forever.”

Anyone who does not possess these qualities is not among the inheritors, for the apparent meaning of the verse is exclusive: inserting a separating pronoun between the subject and predicate indicates exclusivity. Anyone who is not among the inheritors of Paradise is liable to punishment, unless Allah pardons him.

Since observing a covenant is obligatory, observing it means fulfilling it. Just as Allah joined covenants and trusts together, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, described their opposites as characteristics of a hypocrite, saying:

“When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; when he makes a covenant, he betrays it; and when he disputes, he behaves wickedly.”

It is also reported from him:

“A believer may be disposed to any trait except treachery and lying.”

They have always enjoined truthfulness in speech and the faithful discharge of trusts. This is general in scope.

Allah Most High said:

“Yet He leads none astray through it except the defiantly disobedient,
Who break Allah’s covenant after it has been confirmed and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined.”

He thus condemned them for breaking Allah’s covenant and severing what He commanded to be joined, because an obligation arises either from revealed law or from a condition a person has voluntarily agreed to.

He also said:

“Those who fulfil Allah’s covenant and do not break their solemn pledge,
And those who join