What is the ruling on a covenant in which a person swears on his honor to exert effort in fulfilling his duty towards God, the homeland, and the people, and in helping people and all other creatures? What is the difference between a covenant and an oath? And what is the difference between haram (forbidden) and maʿṣiyah (disobedience)?

A covenant that includes an oath by other than Allah is impermissible and constitutes minor shirk, unless the intention behind it is to glorify the one sworn by, similar to glorifying Allah, in which case it becomes major shirk. The difference between a covenant ('ahd) and an oath (qasam): A covenant has meanings such as security and a will, whereas an oath is swearing by Allah or by one of His attributes. Assisting people in matters that are not sinful may be obligatory or recommended. The difference between a sin (ma'siyah) and something forbidden (haram): A sin is committing what Allah has forbidden, and something forbidden is what Allah has prohibited decisively or has threatened punishment for its commission.