The Curse of Corrupt Business Practices—A Ramzan Reflection on Honesty in Trade

Islam is not just a religion of rituals but a complete way of life that governs every aspect, including trade, ethics, and financial dealings. The Quran and Ahadith strongly emphasize honesty, fairness, and justice in business, while condemning fraudulent practices such as:

? Naaptol mein kami (shortening weights and measures)

? Hoarding (????? ??????) to create artificial price hikes

? Misrepresentation and concealment of product defects

? Bribery and favoritism in financial dealings

? Exploitation of customers through unfair pricing and deception

While corruption might bring temporary financial gains, it ultimately leads to the destruction of barakah (blessings) in wealth and invites Allah’s wrath. Let’s reflect on the divine guidance that warns against these evil practices.

1. The Crime of Naaptol Mein Kami (Shortening Weight & Measure)

One of the biggest corrupt practices condemned in the Quran is cheating in weights and measures, a deceitful act that was widespread among past nations and remains prevalent today in different forms.

?? Allah warns in the Quran:

?? "Woe to those who give less in measure! Those who, when they take a measure from people, demand it in full, but when they give by measure or weight to others, they give less than due. Do they not think that they will be resurrected on a great Day?" (Surah Al-Mutaffifin 83:1-5)

This verse serves as a powerful warning that those who cheat others will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.

Modern Examples of Naaptol Mein Kami: ?? Selling food items with incorrect weight (e.g., selling 900 grams as 1 kg) ?? Manipulating fuel pumps to dispense less than the displayed amount ?? Reducing the quality of construction materials while charging for premium products

2. The Prophet’s (?) Warning Against Deception in Business

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (?) was known for his absolute honesty and integrity in trade. He strictly prohibited all forms of deception.

?? Hadith: The Prophet (?) once inspected a heap of grain in the marketplace. When he put his hand inside, he found that it was wet inside but dry on top. He asked the merchant:

?? "Why don’t you keep the damp part on top so people can see it?"

The merchant remained silent. The Prophet (?) then declared: ?? "He who deceives is not from us!" (Sahih Muslim 102)

?? Modern Applications of This Hadith:

? Selling defective or expired products without informing customers

? Tampering with odometer readings in used cars to hide mileage

? Misrepresenting investment returns or concealing risks in business deals

If a businessman cheats on customers, he may earn a few extra rupees, but he loses the blessings of Allah, which are far more valuable than material wealth.

3. The Evil of Hoarding & Black Market Practices

Some traders hoard essential commodities like wheat, sugar, or fuel, waiting for prices to rise artificially so they can sell at exorbitant rates. This exploitative behavior is severely condemned in Islam.

?? The Prophet (?) said: ?? "Whoever hoards food, Allah will afflict him with poverty." (Sunan Ibn Majah 2144)

?? Examples of Hoarding Today:

? Stockpiling necessary goods (like rice or oil) during Ramzan to sell at inflated prices

? Creating artificial shortages to manipulate market demand

? Hiding products from the market and later selling them at double rates

Islamic ethics encourage businesses to be fair, transparent, and responsible members of society, rather than seeking selfish profits at the expense of the poor.

4. The Sin of Bribery & Unjust Dealings

Bribery (????) is another form of corruption that destroys fairness in trade and governance. Whether in government contracts, business deals, or everyday transactions, bribery undermines justice and fairness.

?? The Prophet (?) cursed both the giver and taker of bribes: ?? "May Allah’s curse be upon the one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it." (Sunan Abu Dawood 3580)

?? Common Forms of Bribery Today:

? Paying extra money to fast-track paperwork or approvals

? Offering gifts or favors to manipulate procurement decisions

? Using personal connections instead of merit in business contracts

Bribery creates an unfair playing field, harming honest individuals while benefiting the corrupt. A society built on bribery and favoritism can never prosper in the long run.

5. The Rewards of Honesty in Business

While some may believe that honesty reduces profit, the reality is the opposite—ethical business practices bring sustained success, customer trust, and divine blessings.

?? The Prophet (?) promised great rewards for honest traders: ?? "The truthful and trustworthy businessman will be with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs (in Jannah)." (Tirmidhi 1209)

?? Successful businesses worldwide thrive because of:

? Fair pricing and transparency

? Honoring commitments and contracts

? Providing customers with quality products and services

Call to Action: Let’s Purify Our Trade & Earn Halal Wealth!

As we seek Allah’s mercy during Ramzan, let us take this opportunity to:

? Repent from dishonest business practices

? Commit to ethical trade and fairness

? Ensure honesty in weights, measures, and transactions

? Avoid hoarding, deception, and bribery

? Uphold integrity, even if it means lower profits

?? True success is not in money but in Allah’s blessings and barakah!

?? What are your thoughts on ethical trade? Have you experienced corruption in business? Share your insights in the comments!

?? Share this message to inspire honesty in trade and business!