There was a time when a handshake was as good as a signed contract. A person’s word meant something. Today, however, promises are often made with little thought and broken with even less remorse. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” “I’ll be there at six.” “You can count on me.” How often do those words go unfulfilled?

When someone repeatedly fails to keep their promises, something far more valuable than a commitment is lost — trust. And once trust is broken, it can take years to rebuild.

I was reminded of this quite recently. Some dear friends knew I desperately needed a break and said they wanted to buy me a plane ticket. I remember smiling to myself and thinking, what a lovely thought. Bless them. Like many of us who have heard well-intentioned promises before, I did not really expect it to happen.

Then, to my utter shock and surprise, they actually did it!

Before I knew it, my ticket had been purchased and off I went. It wasn’t just the holiday that touched my heart — it was the fact that they meant every word they spoke; and I must add, my friends don't have extra funds at their disposal — so it was definitely a financial sacrifice on their part; despite this, their actions matched their words. In that moment, I was reminded that integrity is not measured by what we promise, but by what we faithfully deliver.

There is an old expression, often attributed to Native American peoples, that describes insincere speech as speaking with a “forked tongue”. Whether or not we use that phrase today, its message remains relevant.

Words spoken without sincerity or intention are ultimately meaningless. How refreshing it is, then, to encounter people whose word can still be trusted.

In order for any society to function well, integrity is one of the cornerstones of good character. Leadership expert Stephen R Covey famously said: “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”

Whether in business, friendships, marriage or parenting, people want to know that your “yes” means yes and your “no” means no. Your reputation is not built on what you intend to do, but on what you consistently do.

The late basketball coach John Wooden wisely observed: “The true test of a person’s character is what they do when no one is watching.” One might add that another measure of character is whether we keep our word when it becomes inconvenient.

Islam elevates this principle from good etiquette to an act of worship. A promise is not merely made before another person — it is made before Allah, who knows what is in every heart.

Allah reminds us in the Koran: “And fulfil every commitment. Indeed, every commitment will be questioned.” (Koran 17:34)

Imagine standing before your Creator and being asked about every promise you made — to your spouse, your children, your employer, your friends, your customers, and even to yourself. It is a sobering thought.

The Koran also describes true righteousness as including “those who fulfil their covenant when they make one”. (Koran 2:177)

One of the clearest warnings from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) concerns broken promises. He said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: whenever he speaks, he lies; whenever he promises, he breaks his promise; and whenever he is entrusted, he betrays the trust.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

The Prophet was known long before his prophethood as Al-Amin — The Trustworthy. Even those who rejected his message entrusted him with their valuables because they knew his word was beyond question. What greater testimony could there be to the power of integrity?

Of course, life happens. Illness, emergencies and unforeseen circumstances may prevent us from honouring a commitment. Islam is a religion of justice and mercy. If we genuinely cannot fulfil our word, we should communicate honestly, apologise sincerely, and do everything reasonably possible to make things right. Accountability is not about perfection; it is about honesty and responsibility.

Perhaps we should all pause before making promises so freely. Before saying, “I’ll do it,” we should first ask ourselves, can I truly commit to this? Our words carry weight, and every promise creates an expectation.

In a world where trust is becoming increasingly rare, let us be people whose word still means something. Let our integrity speak louder than our intentions.

Whether viewed through the lens of faith or simple human decency, one truth remains: our word is our bond. When we honour it, we earn something that money cannot buy and no title can bestow — the respect and confidence of others, and, more importantly, the pleasure of Allah.

Bermuda let your word always be your bond.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam