Page 81 - The Mercy of Believers
P. 81
79
EXEMPLARY VALUES OF BELIEVERS REFLECTING THEIR MERCY
They consider it an advantage when the client does not
understand that he has been cheated, and they assume
that the money they make or the goods they acquire by
means of deception will be of avail to them. However,
since all such acts are unlawful in the sight of Allah, they
are of no benefit to the doer. Allah thus warns those who
are dishonest:
Woe to the stinters! Those who, when they take a
measure from people, exact full measure, but when
they give them a measure or weight, hand over less
than is due. Do such people not realise that they will
be raised up on a Terrible Day, the Day mankind
will stand before the Lord of all the worlds? (Surat
al-Mutaffifin: 1-6)
All messengers of Allah sent throughout history also
commanded their people to be just in measure and calcu-
lation and not to cheat people. In numerous verses, the
warnings of these messengers are conveyed to us. The
message of the Prophet Shu'aib, peace be upon him, who
was sent to Madyan, illustrates this sensitive approach
explicitly:
And to Madyan We sent their brother Shu'ayb who
said, "My people, worship Allah! You have no other
god than Him. A Clear Sign has come to you from
your Lord. Give full measure and full weight. Do
not diminish people's goods. Do not cause corrup-
tion in the land after it has been put right. That is
better for you if you are believers". (Surat al-A'raf:
85)