Give full measure [17:35]
Mar 28, 2023
Here is today's reflection from the Quran:
And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with the straight balance. That is better and more virtuous in the end [Sura Isra, 17:35]
Reflection: To give full measure when you measure, and weigh with the straight balance means to measure honestly rather than cheating people when trading goods and currency by using a balance that falsely overstates or understates the weight of what has been put upon it. It also means in a general way, to barter or exchange goods fairly and honestly so that what is given is equal to what is received.
Why: Trust is the basis of an evolved society. When business is carried out on the basis of trust, transactions are speeded up and less resources are needed for monitoring and accounting. There is a general feeling of security and people can focus on other matters rather than using their energy in constantly looking over their shoulder. In parts of Europe, for example, the entire transit system runs on the basis of trust. You buy your own ticket and only very rarely are random checks made. It is even rarer for those checking to catch someone who has not paid.
The end of the verse says: That is better and more virtuous in the end and better has a broader meaning than for hereafter. In this world too, when we develop a reputation for being honest and trustworthy, our business and work thrive as do our personal relationships.
How: Let us look at our lives and see where we could be cheating the system. Taking more than you paid for or give less than you were paid for are obvious examples.
Less obvious perhaps are the way we spend our time at work for example. Specially those of us who are paid by the hour, how much time do we spend on doing personal emails, on social media etc?
Also less obvious is how we do not give our best, our "full measure" to others and to ourselves. What would it mean for our lives if we were to "give full measure" in all our dealings with others and ourselves?
Less obvious perhaps are the way we spend our time at work for example. Specially those of us who are paid by the hour, how much time do we spend on doing personal emails, on social media etc?
Also less obvious is how we do not give our best, our "full measure" to others and to ourselves. What would it mean for our lives if we were to "give full measure" in all our dealings with others and ourselves?
Possible barriers: Greed, the desire to get something for nothing, a feeling that "someone owes us". These feelings may of course be the result of having being taken advantage of or given short measure and it shows how the cycle of trust and commercial relationships work.
Possible barriers in giving our best to all our dealings and transactions may be lack of focused attention and presence, distractions, busyness, love of comfort over effort.
Possible barriers in giving our best to all our dealings and transactions may be lack of focused attention and presence, distractions, busyness, love of comfort over effort.
Ayat in action: Let us reflect upon how we could "give full measure" in our lives.
We can live this verse by becoming mindful of where we may be shortchanging people, organizations or ourselves. And then taking the steps necessary to remedy this as soon as possible. The pricks of conscience are short lived and if not acted upon, they fall silent.
We can live this verse by becoming mindful of where we may be shortchanging people, organizations or ourselves. And then taking the steps necessary to remedy this as soon as possible. The pricks of conscience are short lived and if not acted upon, they fall silent.
Could you do with a small, daily dose of inspiration?
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Marzia Hassan
Author
I am a counsellor specializing in couple therapy and parent coaching in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Although my first degree was in Law (LLB from the University of Toronto), I realised that my true passion lay in counselling and coaching families and couples to build better relationships. I therefore started training in family and couple therapy and have been practicing marriage and family therapy for almost a decade.
