Quran Emphasizes Maintaining Proper Measures in Trade

IQNA – One of the examples of discipline in business is avoiding fraudulence (in weighing and measuring) by maintaining proper measures and weights.

Verse 85 of Surah Al-Aaraf is about the mission of Prophet Shuaib (AS). According to this verse, Prophet Shuaib (AS) invites people to Tawheed (monotheism) and the stressed the need for avoiding defraud in trade.

“And to Midian, their brother Shuaib. He said: ‘Worship Allah, my nation, for you have no god except He. A clear sign has come to you from your Lord. Give just weight, and full measure; and do not diminish the goods of people. Do not corrupt the land after it has been set right, that is best for you, if you are believers.’”

Fighting against social and moral corruptions is among the missions of divine prophets. In order for the society’s system to revolve around justice and equality, there needs to be measures to make sure that fraudulence and defraud do not take place in business. Maintaining proper measures in trade is necessary for establishing justice and Qist (balance).

“Therefore, maintain Meezan (just measure, scale) and do not transgress against the Balance.” (Verse 9 of Surah Ar-Rahman)

The word Meezan comes three times in this Surah. The first one, in Verse 7, refers to the laws established by God all over the universe: “He raised the heaven on high and set the scale.”

The second comes in Verse 8 and is about the personal and social domain: “Do not transgress the scales.”

And the third one mentioned in Verse 9 is about measuring the weight of goods.

Overall, there is a relationship between natural laws and order, social laws, and order and discipline in weighing. So maintaining order and discipline in trade is a firm support for establishing justice and Qist in society.