One of the fundamental rules of Islam is the use of accurate scales for measurement in business and trade. It is not permissible to reduce the weight in the least. Allah Ta'ala has placed great importance on accurate measurement. The Qur'an instructs proper weighing in several places. It is stated –

وَ اَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ اِذَا كِلْتُمْ وَ زِنُوْا بِالْقِسْطَاسِ الْمُسْتَقِيْمِ ذٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَّ اَحْسَنُ تَاْوِيْلًا.

And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a straight balance. That is fair, and better at the end. - Surah Bani Israel (17): 35

In verse 152 of Surah Anam, it is also ordered to measure properly. Curtailing someone in weight and measurement is one of the biggest causes of destruction. Allah Ta'ala says –

وَيْلٌ لِّلْمُطَفِّفِيْنَ،الَّذِيْنَ اِذَا اكْتَالُوْا عَلَي النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُوْنَ، وَ اِذَا كَالُوْهُمْ اَوْ وَّ زَنُوْهُمْ يُخْسِرُوْنَ، اَلَا يَظُنُّ اُولٰٓىِٕكَ اَنَّهُمْ مَّبْعُوْثُوْنَ، لِيَوْمٍ عَظِيْمٍ.

Woe to the curtailers, who, when they measure something to receive from people, take it in full, and when they measure or weigh something to give it to them give less than due. Do the not think that they have to be raised up on a Great Day? - Surah Mutaffifeen (83): 1-5

In Arabic, curtailing in measurements is called 'Tatfif'. Those who engage in it are called 'Mutaffif'. Its plural is 'Mutaffifoon'. There are many people who, when they measure something to receive from people, take it in full, and when they measure or weigh something to give it to them give less than due. These verses are warning that do these individuals not think that they will stand before Allah? They will suffer severe punishment for these unethical actions.

In addition to trade and commerce, this verse encompasses all types of human rights in its directive. The Qur'an and Sunnah have issued numerous warnings and admonitions against those who are stringent in collecting their dues from others. They neither give any time nor any opportunity, but instead, offer lame excuses when it comes to paying their dues to others, attempting to cheat in some way and deeming it as a form of intelligence.

Allah Ta'ala further says about accurate measurement –

وَ السَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَ وَضَعَ الْمِيْزَانَ، اَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِي الْمِيْزَانِ، وَ اَقِيْمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَ لَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيْزَانَ.

He raised the sky high, and has placed the scale, so that you should not be wrongful in weighing. Observe the correct weight with fairness, and do not make weighing deficient. - Surah Arrahman (55): 7-9

The community of Hadrat Shu'aib (peace be upon him) had a bad habit. They used to give less in measure and curtail in weighing. This aspect is specifically mentioned in Surah Hud and Surah Shu’ara. Shu’aib, peace be upon him, said to them, 'Do not give less weight; measure it properly.' However, they didn't listen to him. This practice was one of the main reasons for their destruction. Additionally, they would unjustly destroy people's rights and wealth, and they were warned about these actions. The Quran says —

وَ اِلٰي مَدْيَنَ اَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا  قَالَ يٰقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ اِلٰهٍ غَيْرُهٗ  وَ لَا تَنْقُصُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَ الْمِيْزَانَ اِنِّيْۤ اَرٰىكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ وَّ اِنِّيْۤ اَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ مُّحِيْطٍ، وَ يٰقَوْمِ اَوْفُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَ الْمِيْزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَ لَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ اَشْيَآءَهُمْ وَ لَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْاَرْضِ مُفْسِدِيْنَ.

And to Madyan (We sent) their brother, Shu’aib. He said, “O my people, worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. And do not curtail the measure and the weight. I see you quite well off, and I fear for you the punishment of an encircling day. And O my people, perfect the measure and the balance with justice and do not make the people short of their things, and do not go about the earth spreading disorder. - Surah Hud (11): 84-85

See also: Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26): 181-183

Due to their persistent disobedience, Allah Almighty eventually destroyed them with a rain of fir

Nowadays, the violation of the rights of others has become widespread among us, especially in business, where many people aim to deceive others after making contracts. Unfortunately, this is often seen as a measure of business success and a mark of intelligence.

It is crucial to remember that what may appear as success in the eyes of the world is not true success at all. The small gains of this worldly life can lead to the destruction of immense gains in the Hereafter. Moreover, it is a significant cause of ruin in the present world. It can bring about various misfortunes, including losing blessings. It is essential for everyone to heed and obey the instructions and warnings of Allah Ta'ala.

Translation: Rasel Khan