IRE6/1: ISLAMIC TEACHINGS ON WEIGHTS AND MEASUREMENTS

Islamic teachings on weights and measurements

Weight means heaviness of a quality of a thing. Therefore, weights are the machines used to determine the heaviness of something.

On the other hand, measure is the act or extent or dimension in Cms, inches, yard etc therefore, measurements are the results of the process of measuring i.e. how long or how short.

The Islamic economic system strongly discourages cheating by means of weights, where Allah says;-

“Gave full measure when you measure and weigh with a balance that is straight ”
Ch17:35
It is also noted that, while Allah was prohibiting other things, He commanded that, people should weigh with full Justice Ch.152 says, “Allah relates people who cheat through weight and measurements, to practicing fraud. Fraud means something said or done to defeat or trick someone, in order to make another person give up property.

Allah warns those who practice fraud. He says; Ch 83:1 – 3.
“Woe to those who deal in fraud, those who when they have to receive by measure from men, they demand it full, but if they measure to them or weigh for them, they cause them loss ”

From the above verse, Allah looks at such people as not having empathy, yet the prophet emphasized that,
“ A Muslim is the one who wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

Therefore, Allah promises to punish people who practice fraud on the day of Judgment. Ch.83:4
– a6, because fraud is very difficult to be found out in our usual practice.

Misusing weighs and measurements which preached against way back during the era of Allah’s prophets e.g. prophet Shuaib who was sent to the people of madyan (madyarites) to tell them to give just one accruements and when they refused, Allah punished them.

Ch26:181 says;
“……….. Give full measure and be not of those who give less (than due) and weigh with the true balance …………..

Watch the video below on how to measure weight. It explains the relation between units of weight and also shows the conversions (e.g. gm to mg, kg to gm etc.) To download cool applications to learn and practice weight

Question: To what extent has your community lived up teachings on weights and measurements?