Page 88 - Character Types of the Unbelievers
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CHARACTER-TYPES OF THE UNBELIEVERS
give short measure and short weight. I see you prospering
and I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing
Day. My people! Give full measure and full weight with jus-
tice; do not diminish people’s goods; and do not go about the
Earth, corrupting it. What endures with Allah is better for you
if you are believers. I am not set over you as your keeper.”
(Surah Hud, 84-86)
But, in general, because of their moral turpitude, members of a so-
ciety of ignorance have failed to heed these warnings. For this reason,
they experience anxiety in this world, and will be called to render ac-
count of their actions in the world to come. In the society of ignorance
people with such characters will tend to be unscrupulous when it
comes to making a profit. Such a tendency is also discernible among
clerks. In compliance with the morality pervasive in the society of ig-
norance, they will resort to anything in order to sell something to cus-
tomers. They will go on at great length, lying to convince a customer to
buy an outfit that is otherwise unattractive on him or her.
They respect most those rich businessmen, and are, in their own
way, honored to have the opportunity to serve them.
As is the case with some people in a society of ignorance, they are
aware of the teachings of Islam. However, in spite of this, they disre-
gard its commands and prohibitions, devoting themselves solely to
the pursuit of profit.
In addition, they are highly ambitious, and will go to all sorts of
extremes to earn money. However, they are not disposed to obeying
the commands of Allah, Who has created them and provided them
everything they have gained. In several verses of the Qur’an, He has
warned them, and all others of a similar disposition, about becoming
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