I will call you back...

Not returning phone calls is the severest form of torture in the civilized world.”― Marisha Pessl

Sometimes, when you call a friend, an acquaintance or even a stranger, he or she might say ' I will call you back' or 'can I call you back?' Sounds familiar? . Well, with certain friends, I get it ALL the time. I do get that also with certain people whom I call with regards to work.

Frankly, I don't mind it at all BUT it irks me when the person who said it never calls back. Now, that's plain rude. If you don't want to speak or entertain the caller, then tell him or her in a nice way. I'm pretty sure that the person understands and even probably appreciate you being honest and nice. Don't tell your friends that you'll call back and make them wait forever and hope, but you then never do nor do you have any intention in doing so.

By telling them that you will call them back but with no intention of calling back is 1. Lying 2. Making promises that you have no intention to keep.

It may seem trivial to you, but a lie is still a lie no matter how small and not keeping promises, intentionally, depicts the characteristic of a hypocrite.

So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements).

Surah Al Hajj 22:30.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.” 

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 33; Muslim, 59) 

“and fulfill the promise, surely (every) promise shall be questioned about.”

(Surah al-‘Isrā’, 17:34)

Abdullah reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Truth leads one to Paradise and virtue leads one to Paradise and the person tells the truth until he is recorded as truthful, and lie leads to obscenity and obscenity leads to Hell, and the person tells a lie until he is recorded as a liar.
Sahih Muslim – Book 32 Hadith 6307

Narrated Sufyan ibn Asid al-Hadrami: I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: It is great treachery that you should tell your brother something and have him believe you when you are lying.
Sunan of Abu-Dawood – Book 41 Hadith 4953

It was narrated that ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever breaks the covenant of a Muslim, upon him be the curse of Allah, the angels and all the people, and Allah will not accept any obligatory or naafil act of worship from him.” 

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1870; Muslim, 1370. 

For me personally, I do lose respect for the people who use the ever famous line but never follow through because words and action do tell a lot about a person's truthfulness and reliability. I would never put my trust in that person and work wise, I would not work with such person.

Some of my friends do take a day or two to call me back but I don't mind because I know how busy they are and they do apologised for the delay but the bottom line is, they called me back.

So, next time, if you plan the use the phrase 'I will call you back', make sure that you really mean it otherwise, like it or not, you are actually a liar who can't keep a promise.....