April 1998: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 3

HONESTY

A Virtue of Righteous

God will proclaim, “This is the day when the truthful will be saved by their truthfulness....” (5:119)

Honesty is part of the fabric of which our society is built. It is the blocks upon which a strong foundation is built. Honesty breeds trust, truth, support and closeness, and most of all it is a righteous quality.

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone you knew was an honest person! Someone you trusted, whom you would support without hesitation when they needed support or who would support you when you were in need. Someone who comes to mind when you need a friend.

These are the qualities that are natural to us. They make us feel good inside!

It is through experience that we learn not to be honest and for many, honesty has its limits. We learn to keep things inside and not to tell anyone, for the devil incites fear and anxiety to those who do not completely trust in the Almighty. We learn to deceive for some personal gain, for the devil incites greed and vanity for those who forget or do not expect to meet their Lord.

It is important to be honest as God advocates honesty. It is something that we should force upon ourselves. The majority of people on earth would probably consider themselves honest people, but we well know that many people are not. This is why we must be careful and set an example for others.

TRUST

One of the qualities of honesty is trust. God advocates numerous times in the Quran to trust in Him.

Why should we not trust in God, when He has guided us in our paths? We will steadfastly persevere in the face of your persecution. In God all the trusters shall trust. (14:12)

Trust is something we learn from childhood; we trust the people we are

dependent on. Once that trust has been violated, it is difficult to ever trust someone again. Even though we may forgive, we never forget, for it has been permanently recorded.

Trust must be earned by maintaining truthfulness. When we have to judge, we judge equitably. When we trade, we trade equitably. When we are entrusted with responsibility, we make every effort to do the best that we can. And when entrusted with material possessions, we do not conceal it illicitly.

God commands you to give back anything the people have entrusted to you. If you judge among the people, you shall judge equitably.... (4:58)

O you who believe, do not betray God and the messenger, and do not betray those who trust you, now that you know. (8:27)

When it comes to deposits entrusted to them, as well as any agreements they make, they are trustworthy. (23:8)

And the believers keep their word; they are trustworthy. Their testimony is truthful. (70:32-3)

TRUTH

God is the truth, the Quran is the truth. Truthfulness is a quality of the righteous. We are enjoined to follow what is true and to condemn what is false. For who wishes to live in a world of deceit?

To knowingly deceive is to listen to the devils who only encourage us further away from God and to incur His retribution.

Do not confound the truth with falsehood, nor shall you conceal the truth, knowingly. (2:42)

If we are asked about some matter, we should not substitute other than the truth. If we do so, then our judgment rests with God who is our witness. If we do something for which we will knowingly have to deceive or conceal, then we had better examine our motives for doing so. Ultimately, it is the truth that will save us.

EQUALITY

Another aspect of honesty is being equitable. It is important for us to remember to be honest with people when we trade. God says that we should give “full measure” when we trade. Trade might be a service in exchange for service, a service for food or provision, or money for food, provisions or service.

In dealing with people we would always like God to guide us to people who are equitable. Only God is in full control of things. With that in mind, we should always be equitable ourselves in any sort of trade, that we may be treated equitably.

Have you ever had the feeling that if you are ever dishonest or inequitable, God will ensure that you will be treated in the same way? Mashallah, this helps most of us to keep out of trouble!

However, if the devil caused us to forget and we did treat someone unfairly, and as a result we were treated unfairly, this would be good for us if we recognize it and learn from it. It is a lesson and a strengthening that only God guides. If it was done maliciously, then God is seer of everything each of us does!

You shall give full measure when you trade; do not cheat. You shall weigh with an equitable scale. (26:181-2)

Shams Umadaly