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wa-ʾawfū l-kayla ʾidhā kiltum wa-zinū bi-l-qisṭāsi l-mustaqīmi dhālika khayrun wa-ʾaḥsanu taʾwīlan
When you measure, observe fully the measure, [and] weigh with an even balance. That is better and more favourable with respect to the outcome [in the Hereafter].
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Isra’ – Verse 35
35. “And give the full measure when you measure out and weigh you with the right balance, that is good and better in the end.”
The Arabic term /qist as/ is made up of two words: /qist/, which signifies justice, and /t as/ which means the pan of a balance. 9 Some Islamic traditions denote: The Immaculate Imam (as) is an example and a paradigm of /qist as ul mustaqim/ (right balance) in Islam. 10 The issues relating to the people’s transactions and respect for other people’s rights are so important that the Qur’an has frequently stressed it and the lengthiest verse of the Qur’an, that is, ‘verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah’ concerns this matter, and Surah Al-Mutaffifin, (the Defrauders), has been named as such to exhibit the importance of the decent ways of carrying out transactions.
The first invitation of some prophets, like Shu‘ayb, was to abandon short weight.11 Therefore, the Muslim markets must severely be free from fraudulent activities, and defrauding, and the salesperson must be trustworthy, accurate, honest, and keep accurate accounts of everything. The verse says:
“And give the full measure when you measure out and weigh you with the right balance…”
Measuring in full with the right kind of balance are both examples of the sticking to one’s pledges, which was discussed in the previous verse, because transactions are forms of one’s commitments. Balances and measuring devices as well as commercial calculation instruments must be accurate and intact. Accuracy in balances, weighing and calculations are sources of good and blessings, and defrauding will tighten the sphere of one’s blessings. The consequences of right transactions and respect for the rights of people produce dividends for the person involved, for they create a confidence-building environment among people, while defrauding and inaccuracies in balancing and calculating lead to financial corruptions and make all lose confidence. Thus, a happy ending requires honesty.
In principle, justice, regulations, and accuracy are vital principles in all spheres of life. It is a principle which governs all the universe. All kinds of deviation from this principle are dangerous and lead to evil endings, especially; defrauding disrupts and wipes out confidence, which is essential in transactions, thus leading the economic system to collapse. The verse concludes:
“…that is good and better in the end.”
Footnotes