Article appeared Friday, March 13th, 2015 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (370)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

As intelligent beings, do we measure ourselves? We measure our weight, our looks, our wealth,
our status and our power. Do we measure the type of human being or person that we are? Is it
important? Are we accountable? Before we look at accountability, let us look at what famous
people have said about measuring themselves. The American novelist, Richard Bach (1936 - )
is quoted as saying,
Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it
carefully. {1}
What is Bach asking us to measure? Are we honest about exactly how selfish we are? Are we
overly concerned over our weight, devoted to improving our looks, running after increasing our
wealth, doing anything to improve our status and/or power? Can an increase in these things
help improve the kind of person that we are? The American coach, Vince Lombardi (1913
1970) perceptively said,
The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have. {2}
What exactly do we have? We actually have the most precious thing that we could ever want
something we already possess freely our individual existence. Not only do we exist, each of
us is a unique, beautiful human being. We have the opportunity to know the value of existence,
an opportunity to know and acknowledge the One who made us beautiful and a freewill to
demonstrate the kind of person that we choose to be! An important question that we should ask
our conscience: Should we run after wealth, status and power at the cost of our existence?
For example, what if the Creator gave us the things that we run after but subsequently withdrew
the opportunity of being loved by Him? What kind of existence would it be without His love?
How else should we measure ourselves? For example, when we take payment as a teacher, do
we make the effort to see that the student has learned properly? When we draw a salary, should
we make sure that we have fulfilled the requirements of the job? As a government official, we
take our salary from the taxes paid by the public. Should we measure how we serve the public
or should we abuse the power given by them? As a manufacturer, shop-owner or seller, do we
ensure that the buyer has got the value for the money paid or got what was promised? It all
boils down to the question, should we be accountable for the purpose for which we have taken
money?
How long can one hold on to the power, wealth or status gained by short-changing people? It is
an honor to be entrusted with responsibility by people; should we betray the trust demonstrated
through payment? Also, in the end, what if we are accountable to the One who has given us the
opportunity to demonstrate responsibility? Accordingly, we are commanded in the Quran,
Give full measure when you measure and weigh with a balance that is straight: that is
the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination. [17.35]
So, not only are we accountable for giving a full measure, the scale that we apply should be
proper. What does this mean? For example, if we are teaching, we could use different scales of
measurement; one scale could be whether we have finished the syllabus, the other whether the
students have properly learned the subject. Which scale should be considered as a balance
that is straight? To come to grips with the fact that we are indeed accountable, the Creator
narrates occurrences in the past, e.g., what He did to those who ridiculed Him and consistently
short-changed people.

11.84 To the Madyan (We sent) their brother Shuaib. He said, "O my people,
worship Allah: you have no other deity other than He. And give not short of
measure or of weight. I see you in prosperity, but indeed, I fear for you the
punishment of an all-encompassing Day.

11.85 And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not
deprive the people of the things that are their due and do not commit evil in the
land, spreading corruption.
11.86 What remains (as lawful) from Allah is best for you, if you are believers.
But I am not sent to watch over you.
11.87 They said, "O Shuaib, does your (religion of) prayer command you that we
leave what our fathers worship or not do with our wealth as we please? Truly you
are the one that forbears with faults and is right-minded!"
They sarcastically teased Shuaib saying that he was the one tolerant and in his right mind
meaning the opposite; that he was stupid to think so!

11.88 He said, "O my people, have you considered, if I have clear evidence from
my Lord and He has provided me sustenance (pure and) good from Himself? And
I do not wish to differ with you in that which I have forbidden you to do. I only
desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and success can only come
from Allah; in Him I trust and to Him I will return.
11.89 And O my people, let not your dissent (against me) cause you to sin, lest
you suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Noah or of Hud or of Salih; nor are
the people of Lot far away from you.
Shuaib is warning his people that if they manage to displease the Creator, the same fate may
overtake them if they continue disregarding His commandments.

11.90 But ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord
is full of mercy and loving-kindness.
As they did not want to listen, they excused themselves by saying that they did not understand!

11.91 They said, "O Shuaib, we do not understand much of what you say, and
indeed, we consider you among us as weak (in mind). And if not for your family
we would have stoned you to death; and you are not among us one respected."
They gave more value to Shuaibs family, rather than the Creator.

11.92 He said: "O my people, is my family then, more respected than Allah? For
you put Him behind your backs (in contempt). Indeed, my Lord is watching all
that you do.
11.93 And O my people do whatever you can from your position; indeed, I will do
(my part). And soon will you know who it is on whom descends a punishment and
who is a liar! So, watch; for I too am watching with you!"
11.94 When Our command came, We saved Shuaib and those who believed with
him, by (a special) Mercy from Us. And the mighty Blast seized those who had
wronged, and they lay prostrate (corpses) in their homes by the morning.
11.95 As though they had never prospered. Ah! Behold how the Madyan were
removed (dishonorably) just as were the Thamud!
-------{Notes}:
{1} http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/richard_bach.html
{2} http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/v/vince_lombardi.html