The phenomenon of defrauding / tampering(التطفيف) in the Holy Qur’an (A Rhetorical Study)

ظاهرة التطفيف في القرآن الكريم (دراسة بلاغية)

Abstract

Tampering in measuring and weighing is a dangerous social phenomenon that threatens the entity of society, and its damages are not limited to its perpetrators only but include all members of society. Tampering is not limited to belittling and fraud in measuring and weighing, but it includes all aspects of life, including beliefs, worship, transactions, economy, social, politics and others. The Holy Qur’an deals with the phenomenon of tampering in measuring and weighing, (الكيل والميزان) so its verses came explicit, forbidding this phenomenon, and threatening those who commit it.

This study is a rhetoric study of the Qur’anic verses that talk about the phenomenon of tampering in measure and balance. Rhetoric is the body of principles and theory having to do with the presentation of facts and ideas in clear, convincing and attractive language. The traditional aim of rhetoric was to give effectiveness to public speech. Rhetoric is a comprehensive science just as much concerned with what one could say as how one might say it. It studies the effectiveness of language comprehensively including its emotional impact as well as its propositional content.

This research also consists of a field study of the markets in contemporary Pakistan to reveal the extent of the spread of this phenomenon. The study finds the phenomenon of tampering in measuring and weighing is widespread in Pakistani society, and solutions to this phenomenon must be developed, and we should return to what God Almighty has commanded us in the Noble Qur’an.

They study concludes that Quranic verses forbids the tempering in weighing and measuring and warns the offenders for being punished. Similarly, these verses vow that who obey the orders of Allah will get reward in this world and hereafter.

The field study on the tempering in weighing and measuring finds out the causes of this phenomena and its effects on Pakistani society. At the end, the study mentions the recommendations / suggestion to overcome this burring phenomenon / issue and the role of the state, scientists, reformers and the members of the society in the fight against this serious epidemic of Pakistani society.