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 Cheating
and deception are despicable characteristics that are beneath a decent person.
Intentionally distorting the truth in order to mislead others contradicts the
values of honesty, which requires an attitude of sincerity,
straightforwardness, and fairness that leaves no room for cheating, lying,
trickery, or deceit. There are many texts from the Quran and the Sunnah conveying
the meaning that cheating, whether the target be Muslims or non-Muslims, is
forbidden.
Accepting the guidance of Islam leads a person to
truthfulness, which means a person completely avoids cheating, cheating, and
back-stabbing. The Prophet of Islam said:
“Whoever bears arms against us is not one of us,
and whoever cheats us is not one of us.” (Saheeh Muslim)
According to another report, the Prophet passed by a
pile of food in the market. He put his hand inside it and felt dampness,
although the surface was dry. He said:
“O owner of the food, what is this?’
The man said, ‘It was damaged by rain, O Messenger
of God.’
He said, ‘Why did you not put the rain-damaged food
on top so that people could see it! Whoever cheats us is not one of us.” (Saheeh
Muslim)
Muslim society is based on purity of feeling, love, sincerity
towards every Muslim, and fulfillment of promises to every member of society. Its
members are endowed with piety, truthfulness, and faithfulness. Cheating and
deception are alien characters in contrast to the noble character of a true
Muslim. There is no room in it for swindlers, double crossers, tricksters, or
traitors.
Islam views cheating and deception as heinous sins, a
source of shame to the one guilty of committing them, both in this world and
the next. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, did not
merely denounce them by excluding them from the Muslim community in this world,
he also announced that on the Day of Judgment every traitor would be raised
carrying the flag of his betrayal. A caller will cry out from the vast arena
of judgment, pointing to him, drawing attention to him:
“Every traitor will have a banner on the Day of
Resurrection and it will be said: This is the betrayer of so-and-so.” (Saheeh
Al-Bukhari)
The shame of traitors – men and women - will be immense.
Those who thought that their betrayal had been forgotten will find it right
there, exposed for the whole world to see on banners raised high held by their
own hands!
Their shame will increase even more when they meet with
the Prophet of Mercy, the advocate of the sinners on that terrifying and
horrible Day. Their crime is of such enormity that it will deprive them of
divine mercy and the Prophet’s intercession. The Prophet of Islam said:
“God said: There are three whom I will oppose on
the Day of Resurrection: a man who gave his word and then betrayed it; a man
who sold a free man into slavery and kept the money; and a man who hired
someone, benefited from his labor, then did not pay his wages.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
One should steer clear of all the various forms of
deceit and deception present in today’s society. Cheating is common in
examinations, business transactions, and even between spouses and loved ones. Placing
a label on domestically-made products to make it seem that it is imported is a
kind of fraud. Some people give wrong advice when their council is sought and thus
deceive the person who believes he is getting good advice. An employee should
do the job for what he is paid for without any deception or cheating. Rulers
rig the ballot to win elections and cheat the whole nation. Cheating between
spouses and having extra-marital affairs is widespread in modern society. A
Muslim should value himself too highly to be among those who cheat or deceive
perchance one might fall in the category of hypocrites about whom the Prophet
said:
“There are four characteristics, whoever has all of
them is a true hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has one of the qualities
of a hypocrite until he gives it up: when he is trusted, he betrays; when he
speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he disputes,
he resorts to slander.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
Therefore, a Muslim who has true Islamic sensitivities
avoids deceit, cheating, treachery, and lying no matter what benefits or
profits such activities might bring him, because Islam considers those guilty
of such deeds to be hypocrites.
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