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)
   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86