Promises

(Praise of those who have kept their promises, pledges, and vows)

"They that have kept their promises, fulfilled their obligations, redeemed their pledges and vows, rendered the Trust of God and His Right unto Him — these are numbered among the inmates of the all-highest Paradise. Thus from His mighty Prison doth the Wronged One announce unto them this glad-tiding. Blessed are the servants and maidservants that have performed their deeds and blessed is the man that hath cleaved tenaciously unto praiseworthy acts and fulfilled that which is enjoined upon him in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds."

(Bahá'u'lláh, from a previously untranslated Tablet, in Huqúqu'lláh, no. 26)

Must fulfill promises and do so promptly

"The Bahais must be prompt in the fulfillment of their promises, and perform whatever promise they have given."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, vol. 3, issue 11, p. 4)

One should not promise what one does not fulfill

"He (the "true seeker" who "determineth to take the step of search in the path leading to the knowledge of the Ancient of Days") should not...promise that which he doth not fulfil."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 194 or Gleanings, section 125)

Avoid making (absolute) promises about one's future actions (unless made dependent on God's will); if one forgets, hope for God's help to remedy the error (at least in the Dispensation of the Qur'án)

"Nor say of anything, "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow"-

"Without adding, "So please God!" and call thy Lord to mind when thou forgettest, and say, "I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer (even) than this to the right road."

(Qur'án 18:23-24)

Cases where promises may need to be broken

Oath to attend a church superceded by need to obey the Covenant of the Divine Church (now under the banner of Bahá'u'lláh)

"Although thou has given oath to attend the church, yet thy spirit is under the Covenant and Testament of the spiritual Divine Church. Thou shouldst protect this."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Faith, p. 390)

See also

• oaths
• vows
• politics#No Loyal Believer Should Commit Himself to a Political Program
• God-parents/Co-parents (not to "assume an undertaking which he cannot fulfil or do anything which would imply a denial of his faith")

To-dos for this page

• Includes quotes from Lights of Guidance on need to avoid taking vows toward raising children in a given religion, or certain vows in marriage ceremonies, etc.