Iltimas al-Saad fi al-Wafa bil-Waad
- Author died
- 902 AH
- Editions
- Maktabat al-Obeikan
Iltimas al-Sa'd fi al-Wafa' bi-l-Wa'd (Seeking Felicity in the Fulfillment of Promises) is a specialized treatise on the legal ruling and moral obligation of fulfilling promises by the Egyptian traditionist and historian al-Sakhawi (830–902 AH / 1427–1497 CE) .
Context and Purpose
The treatise was composed for the Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Qaytbay (r. 873–901 AH), for whom al-Sakhawi authored several dedicatory works . In the prologue, al-Sakhawi defines the work as a concise monograph compiled from accessible hadiths, traditions of early figures (athar), and poetic citations . He explains that he opened the text with a Quranic verse on the topic alongside its interpretation to harmonize scriptural and prophetic evidence and demonstrate the validity of the juristic position that regards keeping promises as strictly obligatory (wajib) .
Contents and Methodology
Al-Sakhawi surveys the legal rulings regarding the fulfillment of promises, presenting relevant hadiths and athar while evaluating their transmission status and authenticity grades, followed by discussions of derived legal rulings and benefits . He reinforces the position asserting the binding obligation of fulfilling promises, a stance associated with early authorities including Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Shubruma, and Ishaq ibn Rahwayh, as well as certain Maliki jurists .
The work also incorporates moral anecdotes and maxims from early figures . Among these is a report concerning Mutarrif ibn Abd Allah ibn al-Shikhkhir, who overheard a man saying: "I ask Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him," and grasped his arm, warning: "Perhaps you will not do so; whoever makes a promise has made an obligation" . It also cites the traditional adage: "A promise is a cloud, fulfillment is rain, and the finest of promises is that confirmed by downpour" .
Reception
The treatise was cited by later authorities as a comprehensive reference on the subject. In Taj al-Arus, Murtada al-Zabidi highlighted the book while discussing the legal status of keeping promises, noting that al-Sakhawi authored an independent treatise on the matter in which he collected material exhaustively . Ibn Hajar al-Haytami similarly utilized the treatise in al-Zawajir 'an Iqtiraf al-Kaba'ir, incorporating the substance of al-Sakhawi's arguments in full .
Publication
The work was edited by Abd Allah Abd al-Wahid al-Khamis and published in a single volume (138 pages) by Maktabat al-Ubaykan in Riyadh in 1417 AH / 1997 CE .
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