Honesty in iSLAM

 

Honesty in commercial dealings is more strictly enjoined by Islam than by any other religion. 

It is because Islam is a religion which regulates and directs life in all its departments. It is not to be regarded, like the modern man's religion. as a personal, private affair, which has nothing to do with his economic and political life. It is not merely a body of dogmas or a bundle of rites and rituals; it is a practical code that governs life in all its spheres. Its laws are as effectively operative in our commerce and politics as in our domestic life and social relations. Islam censures political chicanery and economic exploitation as strongly as social excesses and individual dishonesty. Indeed, a true Islamic society is based upon honesty, justice, and fraternity, and is absolutely intolerant of dishonesty in all its various forms. That is the reason why perfect honesty in business and truthfulness in trade are much emphasized by the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him). It would not be an exaggeration to say that absolute honesty in business and commerce is really an Islamic concept. The Hindus and Jews were (and still, are) worshippers of the Mammon. Both of them have been mercenary nations, notorious for their greed. The pre-Islamic Christians. too, did not possess any high standard of business morality. It was Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) who, on the one hand, urged his followers to adopt trade as their profession, and, on the other hand, exhorted them to observe truthfulness and honesty in their business transactions.

Islam is most vehement in its condemnation of commercial dishonesty. It denounced, in the strongest possible terms, all sorts of deceitful dealings and illegal profits. It has disallowed all transactions not based upon justice and fair play The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) while reprimanding the dishonest dealer, said: "Laisa Minna man gashshdna" (Whosoever deceives us is not one of us).

The Holy Qur'an stresses the importance of fairness in business: "And, O my people, give full measure and weight justly, and defraud not men of their things, and act not corruptly in the land making mischief. What remains with Allah is better for you, if you are believers" (xi. 85-86).

In these words addressed by Hadrat Shu'aib to his people, the Holy Qur'an enunciates the fundamental principles of commerce as follows

1. To give just measure and weight.
2. Not to withhold from the people the things that are their due.
3. Not to commit evil on the earth with the intent of doing mischief.
4. To be contented with the profit that is left with us by God after we have paid other people their due.

Here is a brief account of the sale transactions prohibited by Islam. If one ponders over these forms of transaction described above and described in greater detail in "Kitab al-Buyu," one can arrive at the following conclusions:

1. Islam insists upon absolute justice and fair play in business dealings.
2. According to Islam, a person who sacrifices his faith, and loses the good pleasure of his Lord to make a monetary gain has not made a good bargain. A Muslim will not go in for such a bad bargain. A Muslim merchant is not a worshipper of the Mammon with an inordinate love for money. He prizes faith, piety, and righteousness above all.
3. Islam does not believe in the view that all is fair in business and that every kind of cleverness and deceit is justifiable in business transactions. Islam regards business or commerce as an economic activity to be carried on in a spirit of humanity. Arianism and justice. It does not approve of the cut-throat competition. Indeed, the very concept is un-Islamic.
4. Islam expects the buyer and the seller to look upon each other as Muslim brethren or fellow human beings, each trying to go all his way to help and serve the other. If the seller happens to overcharge the buyer, he, instead of feeling proud of his cleverness in doing so, should somehow compensate him for the excessive payment received.
5. All bargains that are clenched without giving the purchaser a fair chance to examine the things are prohibited because this amounts to denying him a right that was his due.
6. Forcible transactions or transactions in which the buyer takes undue. advantage of the helplessness or misery of the seller is also discouraged.
7. Islam has prohibited traffic in wine, swine, dead bodies of animals, and other goods the use of which has been declared to be Haram (unlawful).
8. It has also forbidden trading in things that have a debasing or vitiating influence on Muslim society.