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
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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)
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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
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