If we take a look at our society we would found out or gauge very quickly that there is a rising proportion of dishonest and corrupt people. Such loss of honesty starts from the top level and descends down to the very bottom. Unfortunately, this trend of dishonesty is increasing day by day as the people are getting more skilled, educated and qualified as compared to before. We also see dishonest people sitting at key positions among Ummah. They are not faithful with their civilians. If this happens, people’s heart would get hardened and full of corruption which is not good for the well being of Ummah and humanity. The main reason of prevalence of dishonesty is the “Lack of Faith”.
Honesty is a quality or a trait of being fair, just and unbiased at all times. Such moral values cannot possibly be prevalent in someone who lie, is dishonest, cheats and theft. One of the fundamentals of Islam is the honesty. A Muslim is always a truthful and an honest person because Allah orders him to be so. Whereas our Prophet Muhammad PBUH prophesied dishonesty as a sign of hypocrisy.
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr RA: The Prophet said,
“Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.
1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.
2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Reason for Loss of Honesty
As pointed out earlier that the reason for honesty among the Muslim is there faith and faith is the reflection of our actions. Today if our actions are wrong and seemingly opposite and contrary to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, it is because of our lack in faith and believe on Allah, Messenger Muhammad PBUH and Day of resurrection.
GOLDEN WORDS: A guide for all Muslims from the life of Prophet Muhammad PBUH
Hudhayfah RA narrated that The Prophet PBUH said,
“Honesty was preserved in the roots of men’s hearts then the Quran was revealed and they learned (it) from the Quran and from the Sunnah.”
Then he related to us about its disappearance, saying, “A man will go to sleep and honesty will be taken away from his heart, and only its trace will remain. Then he will go to sleep again and the remainder of the honesty will also be taken away (from his heart), leaving a trace like a blister, as when an ember touches your foot and raises a blister which has nothing inside.” Then he picked up a handful of pebbles and rolled them on his leg and said. “People will engage in business with one another, but there will hardly be any honest persons among them. It will be said that in such-and-such a tribe there is an honest man, and a man will be admired for his strength, good manners and intelligence, but there will not even be a mustard-seed of faith in his heart!” (Agreed Upon)
From this hadith it is very clear that the reason for loss of honesty is the lack of faith in one’s heart.
Dishonest Rulers near the End of Times
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that while the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) was in a gathering, speaking to the people, a Bedouin came and asked, “When will the Hour be?” The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) continued speaking. Some of the people thought, he has heard what the Bedouin said and disliked it; others thought that he had not heard the Bedouin. Then when he had finished speaking, he said, “Where is the one who was asking about the Hour?” He said, “Here I am, Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet said, “When honesty is lost, then wait for the Hour.” He asked, “How will it be lost?” The Prophet said, “When authority is given to those who are not qualified for it, then wait for the Hour.” (Al-Bukhari)
We can see all of these signs and predictions of Prophet Muhammad PBUH coming true. So what lessons do we learn from them? One is to be faithful believer in Allah and always keep in mind that all our actions shall be recompensed in the Day of Judgment and we shall not find any favoritism and intercessor. Secondly, people of authority do not qualify for their positions and authority so our job is to impeach our rulers on basis of Islam.
