Fraud is
defined as "one of the contracting parties or another party
misrepresenting something in a contract that is contrary to reality." This
can be done verbally, through actions, or by concealing an undesirable
characteristic that, if known to one of the contracting parties, would cause
them to refrain from entering into the contract."
Fraud in
buying, selling, and other financial and commercial transactions can occur
through lying, concealing defects in goods, underpricing, shortchanging in
weight, mixing good with bad, and other prohibited methods. Other forms of
fraud include brokers embellishing inferior goods and spoiled merchandise, such
as pastries, grains, clothing, and furnishings, and failing to fulfill
contracts, such as construction and contracting agreements. Another form of
fraud is when the people deceive their leaders by praising and flattering them
for qualities they do not possess. The shepherd deceived his flock by
oppressing and subjugating them and failing to take care of their affairs.
Cheating in the pursuit of knowledge, such as cheating on exams and obtaining
undeserved certificates, enables the cheater to assume a position for which he
is unqualified. This leads to the decline of the institution, the regression of
society, and injustice to both individuals and the nation.
Among the
forms of cheating prohibited by Islam is the shortchanging in weights and
measures, as stated in the words of God Almighty: "And come not near to
the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age
of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden
not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word
(i.e., judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near
relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allah. This He commands you,
that you may remember.” (Surat Al-Anam 6:152). Islam did not merely forbid
cheating in weights and measures but also threatened those who cheat with woe,
destruction, and ruin, as Allah Almighty says: “Woe to those who give less
[than due], 1 who, when they take a measure from people, take in full. 2. But
if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss. 3” (Surat
Al-Mutaffifin: 1-3).
The
Prophetic Sunnah forbids a shepherd from deceiving his flock by oppressing them
and failing to fulfill his obligations towards them in a manner pleasing to God
and His Messenger. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “There
is no servant whom God entrusts with a flock and who dies on the day he dies
while being deceitful towards his flock, except that God will forbid Paradise
for him.” (Narrated by Ma’qal ibn Yasar; Source: Sahih al-Jami’). The Prophetic
Sunnah also forbids deception in testimony when a witness gives evidence, such
as bearing false witness, slander, and lying. The Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) said, “Shall I not inform you of the greatest of sins?” They said,
“Yes, O Messenger of God.” He said, “Associating partners with God and
disobeying one’s parents.” [And in another narration]: He was reclining, then
he sat up and said, “Beware of falsehood!” He kept repeating it until we said,
“We wish he would stop!” (Narrated by Abu Bakra Nafi’ ibn al-Harith; Source:
Sahih al-Bukhari). Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also
forbade deception in giving advice and considered deception, lack of
truthfulness, and insincerity in giving advice to be among the signs of a
hypocrite, as he said, “Religion is sincere advice.” We said, “To whom?” He
said, “To God, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and their
general public.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah; Source: Sahih al-Nasa’i).
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