Keep away from Falsehood and Deception in Trade

Traders make false statements while showing their wares and stating their prices. The basis of trade in our midst is unlimited greed. The shopkeeper desires that there should be dearness, while the buyer wants to get the commodities free of charge. It is wealth which controls activities of buying and selling in the markets and in different fields. Islam hates this kind of deceptive affair and the senseless debate and disputation latent in it, The Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said:

 “The buyers and sellers are free till they do not separate and if they have acted with honesty, and have explained the defects of commodities, then Allah will bless them with prosperity. And if both of them tried to deal dishonestly and tried to hide the defects then it is likely that they may get some profit, but the prosperity will vanish from their trade.”

In another tradition it stated:

 “The prosperity of the dealing of both the persons is terminated. The untrue and false oath will help get the commodity sold, but it reduces the earning.” (Reported by Ahmed)

The buyers who go to the shopkeepers are mostly ignorant of the real situation, and whatever the shopkeeper says they believe it, The honest thing is not to take undue advantage of the simplicity of men for the purpose of obtaining double price or for concealing the defects.

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) has said:

 “What would be a greater dishonesty than this that when you are talking with your brother he may be thinking that you are telling the truth whereas you are deceiving him by telling lies.” (Reported by Bukhari)

He (Peace be upon him) has also said:

“It is not lawful for a Muslim to sell such a commodity that has a defect, except that the defect is shown to the buyer.” (Reported by Bukhari)

Ibn Abi Adna narrates that a man opened a shop in the market and swore that he would sell such a commodity as no one else would be selling, so that he may deceive some Muslims; so the following verses were revealed:

“Verily, those who sell the covenant with Allah and their oaths for a small price, there is no compensation for them in the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment Allah will not speak to them, nor will He look at them, and nor will He purify them; but for them is very severe punishment.” (Surah Al-Baqarah)

Disregard of truth in giving evidence is the worst type of falsehood. When a Muslim should stand up for giving evidence, he should state the truth unhesitatingly; regardless of the fact whether it is against his close friend or a favourite person. No relationship or prejudice should deviate him from the right path, nor any greed or bribe should be able to make him waver in his stand.

“O You who believe I Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor; for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your heart), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted - with all that you do.” (Surah An-Nisa’: 135)

Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) has stated:         

“May I not tell you the major sins?” Three times he repeated the same thing. We requested: “Why not O Messenger of Allah?” He (Peace be upon him) replied: “To associate someone else with Allah, to disobey the parents and to murder someone unjustly.” He was leaning. Then he (Peace be upon him) got up and said: “And to tell lies and to give false evidence.” He went on repeating it till we said to ourselves it would be better if he were silent then.” (Reported by Bukhari)

Trickery and deception is a falsehood which has layers and layers of darkness. It does not only involve the concealment of truth but it also tries to prove that the falsehood is truth. In some special matters it harms only a few individuals but in public matters it becomes a severe and deadly danger against the whole nation.

For this reason the Prophet (Peace be upon him) has very bluntly and emphatically counseled to keep away from it and bas warned against it.