HONESTY BRINGS

SUSTENANCE.
DISCUSSION OF ACADEMIC EVIDENCE FROM ISLAMIC
JURISPRUDENCE AND BUSINESS ETHICS.

Abbas Quaid Joher Sadriwala | Darajah: Sabea AM | 7-10-2020

 INTRODUCTION

Honesty is the best policy. This may be originally said by Sir William Shakespeare but it
was truly policies thousand years before he was born by Rasulullah in Islamic law. He was
the embodiment of honesty and trust as it is narrated that even before he was sent for the
message of Islam he was known as 1Al-Sadiq Al-Ameen (the honest and the trustworthy).
Reflection of his lofty virtues are very bright in the law he has established in Islam.
Honesty is just not a virtue that is valued but it is that element when added to something
it sustains it. On the other side, dishonesty evaluates in inconsistency and deprivation.
Islam has always privilege honesty upon any other thing. This is very clear as the
foundation of the pillars of Islam is the allegiance of honesty towards Muslim Imam.
2
Whereas dishonesty has been narrated to be equivalent to Shirk (polytheism) which is
regarded as the greatest sin in Islam. Islam is the religion of honesty. It has always guided
its followers to honest behavior in every aspect of life. Qur’an in several verses’ praises
honesty:
 3O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Grievously odious
is it in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not do.
 4O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.
 5Allah will say, "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their
truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow,
wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with
Him. That is the great attainment.
Besides Islam, everyone else does acknowledge the fact that honesty is a lofty virtue and a
key element in developing a relationship on any stage and bring sustenance to it. Scholars
and researchers who discuss traits of successful leaders of the world explain that a
common habit they share being honest. Ethicists discuss the importance of honesty in
business ethics as a key element in developing relationships. Honesty is one of the reasons
behind the success and sustenance of some businesses, contrary to the deceptive and
dishonest ones.
Exploring the reality that honesty brings sustenance in any dimension of life, this essay is
divided into three topics:
1. How honesty brings sustains in society especially in business and trade?
2. How does honesty bring sustenance in a family?
3. How does honesty bring sustenance in a human being?

1
Kitab Sharh-ul Akhbar, Volume 2, Page #21, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-Noman,
Dairt- ul-tab’e Wan Nashr
2
Kitab D’aim-ul-Islam, Volume 2, page #357, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-Noman,
Moasasat-ul-Noor lil Matbu’aat
3
Surat Al-Saf 61:2–3, Qur’an Majeed
4
Surat Al-Ahzab 33:40, Qur’an Majeed
5
Surat Al-Maidah 5:119, Qur’an Majeed

PAGE 1
These topics will include references from Islamic Jurisprudence and also discuss referring
to recent researches and contribution of scholars over these topics.

HOW DOES HONESTY BRINGS SUSTENANCE TO A SOCIETY

6
Sociologist when defining how societies are formed often fall into two major groups:
structuralist and interactionist. Structuralist define society as a set of institutions which
combine to form one society. while interactionists argue that society is formed by the
interaction of human beings with others focusing on a micro-perspective of a society.
Whether on the macro-level of a society or the micro-level, honesty plays its part in
sustaining on both levels.
Islamic Jurisprudence and Islamic values have always urged to maintain honesty on both
levels- whether it is a behavior of an institution as a whole or behavior of one person with
another. Take the government as an example of an institution on a macro level. Islam has
guided many governing laws that maintain honesty in society. For example in Kitab-al-
Shahadaat (book of testimonies) in the book of D’aim-ul-Islam Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-
Qaazi Al-NomanRA has come up with numerous narrations describing the principle on
which testimony should be declared as honest, and the principles on which a witness is
eligible to testify. This book also includes the importance of testifying honestly because of
its sustains law and order and precludes the demerit practices from society 7. In one
narration from Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq, it is stated:
8
In the ayat”‫ ( ” وال ياب الشهداء اذا ما دعوا‬and let not the witnesses refuse when they are called
upon). This is when they are called before the decision. So it is not appropriate for anyone
when called upon for a testimony to deny from it.... “‫( ”وال تكتموا الشهاده ومن يكتمها فانه اثم قلبه‬And
do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it - his heart is indeed sinful)
Similarly, Islam has also prescribed intense punishment for those who testify dishonestly.
These punishments help create an honest society that sustains itself from degrading and
maintaining a just law and order. In the book of Punishments, it is narrated that flinging a
dishonest testimony over a married woman is one of the greatest sins 9. The punishment of
the dishonest witness is 80 whips10. Other than these examples, there various more
examples that show how is Islam has urged honesty on a macro level.
In a study 'Intrinsic Honesty and the Prevalence of Rule Violations across Societies' 11 that
societies which were corrupted were likely to be dishonest than the other societies where
6
Sociology (course book), page #29-30, Chris Livesley, Cambridge University Press
7
Kitab D’aim-ul-Islam, Volume 2, page #357-364, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-
Noman, Moasasat-ul-Noor lil Matbu’aat
8
Kitab D’aim-ul-Islam, Volume 2, page #363, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-Noman,
Moasasat-ul-Noor lil Matbu’aat
9
Kitab D’aim-ul-Islam, Volume 2, page #319, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-Noman,
Moasasat-ul-Noor lil Matbu’aat
10
Kitab D’aim-ul-Islam, Volume 2, page #320, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-Noman,
Moasasat-ul-Noor lil Matbu’aat

PAGE 2
rule-breaking was frowned upon. This explains how honesty brings positive sustenance
while dishonesty yields chaos and corruption in a society.
On the micro-level of a society i.e. relationship of individuals with others, honesty helps to
sustain those relationships resulting in productive and satisfying results. Take friendship
as an example. Honesty is key to sustain a faithful friendship. Moulana Ali AS states in a
poem:
‫اذا ما المرء لم يحفظ ثالثا فبعه ولو بكف من رماد‬12
‫وكتمان السرائر في الفؤاد‬ ‫وفاء للصديق وبذل مال‬
(When a person doesn't conserve three things so sell that person even for a handful of
sand: Loyalty for the friend, spending of money, and hiding secrets in the heart.)
Islam has also urged over being patriotic and honest with the nation a person resides in.
Rasulullah has stated:
‫حب الوطن من االيمان‬13
(love for the nation is a part of belief). Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS has dictated
in many of his sermons:
‫جه ملك ما رهو اهنا و فاءدار رهو‬14
(be loyal in the nation you reside in.)
Eventually, this relationship of an individual when added with all other individuals will
conclude in better development of a country or nation in present and sustenance and
growth for the future.
Honesty brings sustenance in Business and Trade:
Every society is dependent upon trade and business. Honesty is a very reviewed topic in
business ethics too. It has key importance in the success of any business and failure of
others. The world of business is often filled with ethical dilemmas. Every businessman is
to make decisions, and the decisions they do make can determine whether their business
ethics is based on an honest framework or not. Honest behavior attracts customers while
dishonest behavior discourages buyers from buying.
Islamic teachings have encouraged the followers to follow honest deeds in business
dealings, ignoring dishonest and demerit practices. In Kitab-ul-Bo'yu' Syedna Al-Qazi Al
Noman RA has referred to plenty of narration from Ahle Bait in which they have prohibited
from deceptive business dealings. In a narration Rasulullah, he states:
15
"‫"من غشنا فليس منا‬
(the who deceives us is not from us.)

11
Gächter, S., Schulz, J. Intrinsic honesty and the prevalence of rule violations across
societies. Nature 531, 496–499 (2016).
12
Kitab Silk Jawhar Manzoom, volume 1, page #10, Dairt- ul-tab’e Wan Nashr
13
Raudat Hidayaat, volume 1, page #35
14
Kalemaat Noraaniyah, Majlis #5, 1425H
15
Kitab D’aim-ul-Islam, Volume 2, page #15, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-Noman,
Moasasat-ul-Noor lil Matbu’aat

PAGE 3
This narration signifies how Islamic values urge a Muslim towards honest behavior in
trade and business.
In another narration, Rasulullah SAW states:"
16
"‫ واخفروا الذمة وطلبوا بعمل االخرة الدنيا فعند ذلك اليزكون انفسهم‬،‫ واختانوا‬، ‫"اذا طففت امتي مكيالها وميزانها‬
(when my people will give less [than due] in their measures and scales and betray.... then
will not be justifiable.)
This warning explains how dishonest and deceptive acts in business causes chaos and
disturbance in the future. This concludes that dishonesty will never lead to sustenance but
will lead to exhaustion and non-subsistence.
Ethicists discuss the effects of honesty in businesses. The honest behavior of business
leads towards positive side effects for a business. These may be:
 Honesty offers businesses a competitive advantage. Costumer learns to trust
ethical brands and stay loyal to them
 When people have an opportunity to know how the business operations behind
the scene they may admire the business more and respect it.
 Customer service can improve for honest business. A business that admits a flaw
and takes measures to repair it while expressing regret for the mistake is more
likely to sustain his consumer loyalty and attract new ones.17
One of the most dishonest acts in modern-day businesses is a deceptive advertisement.
Through this type of advertisement, businesses urge customer in buying a product which
doesn't makeup to what it was advertised for. In the study 'Impact of misleading/false
advertisement to consumer behavior' it has been found that while misleading
advertisements tend to provide overtly more positive information than is necessary, such
positivity tends to result in a negative experience for customers18. Many businesses like
Volkswagen, Tesco, etc. had to pay a lot of money when their scandals were identified.

HOW HONESTY BRINGS SUSTENANCE IN A FAMILY:

The reason for the exclusion of family from the rest of the society is because a family
comprises of deeper, more complex, and important relationship with an individual than
any other intuition in a society. These relationships may include married couples, parents
and children, siblings, etc. Honesty in these relationships is like a backbone. Relationships
based on love and trust often tend to weaken due to dishonest behavior.

16
Kitab D’aim-ul-Islam, Volume 2, page #15, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-Noman,
Moasasat-ul-Noor lil Matbu’aat
17
Honesty is the Best Business Policy: The Ethics of International Business, Dr. Gouher
Ahmed et.al, The Journal of Global Business Management Volume 12* Number 1 * April
2016
18
Mohammed T. Nuseir, 2018. "Impact of misleading/false advertisement to consumer
behaviour," International Journal of Economics and Business Research, Inderscience
Enterprises Ltd, vol. 16(4), pages 453-465.

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Islam has made sure that these relationships are based on honesty so that it sustains.
Ameer ul Mumineen 'Ali bin Abi Talib has been reported to say:
19
‫المؤمنة ريخانة وليست بقهرمانة‬
(Women is a fragrance, not a housekeeper)
Several times Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS, referring to this narration, stated that:
" Women are like a flower, if you don't take care of it will wither. Likewise, when a
husband oppresses his wife he will not be able to smell her fragrance himself." 20
Islamic Jurisprudence has urged over equal distribution between wives and avoiding
predilection of one over another in terms of the night spent with them and their
livelihood. In a verse, Qur'an states:
"‫"وارزقوهم فيها واكسوهم وقولوا لهم قوال معروفا‬
(provide [livelihood] for them with it [property] and clothe them and speak to them words
of appropriate kindness.)
A wife has also an integral role in forming an honest relationship. Obeying a husband is
one of the fundamental duties of the wife according to Islam. In another narration in
D'aim-ul-Islam, it is stated 'that a woman sent a messenger towards Rasulullah asking: O
Messenger of Allah! My husband went out on travel and he commanded me not to get out
of my house. My father is ill and about to die. May I go out to him? So he replied to the
messenger. Tell her: Sit at your house and obey your husband. So she did, and her father
died. He then sent a messenger towards her and said: Allah has forgiven your father for
your obedience to your husband.' This narration teaches how the act of honesty between
couples in an intense situation like this can yield in such a sustainable rewarding result.
Similarly, teaching honesty in children's upbringing is crucial. The honest environment
develops the value of being honest in children. In the study ''Intrinsic Honesty and the
Prevalence of Rule Violations across Societies' signifies how honest the environment
derives honest behavior from people living in it. It is as if honesty yields honesty.

HOW DOES HONESTY BRINGS SUSTENANCE IN AN INDIVIDUAL

HUMAN BEING:

Above it has been discussed how honesty brings sustenance in society as a whole and a
family. Likewise, honesty helps sustain an individual human being -socially,
psychologically, and spiritually.
Dishonesty is not always towards others or external. Internal dishonesty- an act of lying to
your self- is a common activity that many do. Robert Brault has said "Every lie is two lies;
the lie we tell others and the lie we tell ourselves to justify it’ 21. Willingness to

19
Al-Iqtebasaat-ul-Nooraniyah, 1424H, Majlis#5, Dairt- ul-tab’e Wan Nashr
20
Kitab D’aim-ul-Islam, Volume 2, page #138, Al-Da’i Al-Ajal Syedna Al-Qaazi Al-Noman,
Moasasat-ul-Noor lil Matbu’aat
21
http://www.greatexpectations.org/resources/life-principles/honesty/quotes-on-honesty/
(date of access: 7-10-2020)

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acknowledge flaws and shortcomings is not easy. Islamic teachings have urged over
choosing honesty over your preferences. Imam Moiz has stated:
”‫"قولوا الحق ولو على انفسكم‬
(Always speak al-Haq (what is true and right) even if it is not in your favor.) 22
This approach of being honest to your self have positive psychological side effects. In the
article 'Honesty and genuine happiness: Or why soft healers make stinking wounds
(Dutch proverb)', it explains that honesty towards ourselves and others is a precondition
for genuine happiness. Both forms of honesty are crucial for growth and are a premise for
modifying unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that are a stumbling block to genuine
happiness. Therefore, honesty must be considered as a distinctive and universal virtue. 23
Honesty also helps sustains the social reputation of an individual. In his book, The
(Honest) Truth About Dishonesty, Dan Ariely explains that even telling a small lie risk
being unmasked as a liar, which would not only damage our reputation but also reduce
the proclivity of others to trust us; further, one lie often leads to the need to tell another,
more significant lie, which risks even greater negative consequences if discovered.
Furthermore, honesty also sustains the spiritual side of a human being.
Moreover, being honest with religious values guarantees sustenance in this world and
hereafter. In Islam, every believer is obliged to give an oath. By giving that oath a man
enters the circle of Iman (belief). So, if the believer stays loyal to his oath, he is promised
paradise in exchange. This is how honesty and being loyal sustains his life in this world
and life after death.

After discussing a few aspects of honesty on different stages, it concludes that acquiring an
honest approach and behavior is significant for sustenance. Furthermore, it also explains
how religion Islam and the Quran is a role model in teaching honesty. Islamic laws are
embedded with these values which makes them sustainable in any circumstance. Recent
researches also back up the claim that how honest and loyal behavior derives sustenance
in the world. This phenomenon explains a saying by James E Faust “Honesty is more than
not lying. It is truth-telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving.” 24

22
Raudat Hidayaat, volume 3, page #239, Dairt- ul-tab’e Wan Nashr
23
Torka, Nicole. (2018). Honesty and genuine happiness: Or why soft healers make
stinking wounds (Dutch proverb). British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. 1-10.
10.1080/03069885.2018.1453600.
24
http://www.greatexpectations.org/resources/life-principles/honesty/quotes-on-honesty/
(date of access: 7-10-2020)

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