Chapter: What has been reported regarding the Covenant of Allah and the covenant of His Messenger

—and the words of Allah, Most High:
“Fulfil the covenant of Allah whenever you pledge a covenant, and do not break your oaths after you have confirmed them” (the verse).

The remainder of the verse reads:
“…for you have made Allah a surety over you. Truly Allah knows what you do” [16:91].

Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Tawḥīd:
Fulfilling covenants is an act of exalting Allah; failing to do so shows a lack of reverence for Him and constitutes a flaw in tawḥīd.

What is meant by the covenant of Allah: it is the pledge itself. The text urges safeguarding that pledge and honouring it once it is granted to anyone.

“Fulfil the covenant of Allah”: that is, adhere to its requirements—pledges of allegiance, sworn oaths, and similar contracts.

“Do not break the oaths”: meaning the oaths of allegiance in particular, or any oaths in general.

“After you have confirmed them”: after binding them by invoking the name of Allah, Exalted is He.

“For you have made Allah a surety over you”: that is, you have appointed Him as a witness to that pledge.

“Truly Allah knows what you do”: He knows your violation of oaths and covenants; this is a warning.

Overall meaning of the verse: Allah commands that pledges and covenants be fulfilled and that oaths affirmed by mentioning His name be preserved, for by invoking Him people have made Him a witness and guardian over themselves. He, glorified be He, knows all their deeds and conduct, and He will recompense them accordingly.