Hud (Hud)

85. “And O my people! Fill up the measure and the balance in justice, and do not diminish the people their things: and do not make mischief in the land, working corruption.”

The Qur’anic phrase /la tabxasu/ is derived from the article /baxasa/ signifying ‘not to reduce’; while the Arabic phrase /la ta‘au/ means ‘not to commit evil or mischief’.

Compromising people’s rights in economic matters is a prominent example of corruption, for ailing economies always lead communities to corruption. All economic transactions should be strictly supervised.

Shu‘ayb insisted upon the establishment of a just economic system in this verse and along with dissuading his people from cheating others in economic transactions, he also called upon them to consider the rights of others, saying that they should use scales and weighing devices with fairness.

But this verse says:

“And O my people! Fill up the measure and the balance in justice...”

The establishment of justice and safeguarding everyone’s due rights are principles that must be administered throughout all of society. Taking this one step further, he said that they should not falsely ascribe faults and defects to other people’s goods, thus reducing the value of their goods, properties and belongings.

It continues saying:

“…and do not diminish the people their things:...”

Towards the end of the verse, going even further, he added that they should not corrupt the earth by committing mischief.

It says:

“…and do not make mischief in the land, working corruption.”

The above two verses strongly indicate that next to the belief in monotheism, a healthy economy is of primary importance. It also shows that anarchy in an economic system can be a major source of corruption in any society.