The third category consists of those who have not yet broken the covenant, yet we have no clear assurance that they will continue to uphold it; rather, we fear they may betray us and annul the pact. Concerning such people, Allah says, “If you fear treachery from a people, then openly repudiate the treaty with them, so that both sides are on equal terms” (Qur’an 8:58). That is, declare plainly, “There is no covenant between us and you,” leaving the matter transparent.

The upshot is that every stipulation agreed upon among people counts as a binding covenant. An example is the commitment employees make to perform their duties: the employee has accepted the conditions set by the government—reporting at the start of official hours, not leaving until they end, working with sincerity, and whatever else is laid down in the Civil Service regulations. One is therefore obliged to honour these covenants. If you are unwilling, leave the post and enjoy the freedom to do as you wish, for no one compelled you to take the job; you entered it of your own accord. Hence you must observe every requirement of that position; otherwise, relinquish it and act freely, with none to call you to account but Allah, exalted is He.

The author next cites the hadith of Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī—may Allah be pleased with him—in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Among the worst of people in rank on the Day of Resurrection…” The word “ašarr” (worse) appears here in a less common dialect, for the prevalent usage drops the hamza: thus one normally says khayr (better) and sharr (worse) rather than “akhyar” or “ašarr,” which occur only rarely. He then said