The holy Quran says – “Speak fair to the people”. What does ‘fair’ mean? Does it mean speaking sugar coated words as we see nowadays?

The holy Quran summarizes how one should speak fairly as follows

“Wa laa talbisul haqqa bilbaatili wa taktumul haqqa wa antum ta'lamoon”

“Cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).”

Quran 2.42

Quran is not for strict ascetic way of living. It says

“Qul man harrama zeenatal laahil lateee akhraja li'ibaadihee wattaiyibaati minar rizq; qul hiya lillazeena aamanoo fil hayaatid dunyaa khaalisatany Yawmal Qiyaamah; kazaalika nufassihul Aayaati liqawminy ya'lamoon

Yaa Banneee Adama khuzoo zeenatakum 'inda kulli masjidinw wa kuloo washraboo wa laa tusrifoo; innahoo laa yuhibbul musrifeen”

“…Whatever beautiful gifts of Allah which He has produced for His servants, and the things clean and pure, which He has provided for sustenance are not forbidden.

.. Wear your beautiful apparel at every time, and place of prayer: Eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters”

Quran 7.32, 7.31

Note that Islam does not restrict enjoyment, but does not accept lavish way of life. It advises restraint and avoidance of any excess. That does not mean that one should resort to complete self-denial.

What one eats, what one wears are not that important. What is more important is morality.

So, what does Quran forbid? Quran says

“Qul innamaa harrama Rabbiyal fawaahisha maa zahara minhaa wa maa bataa wal isma walbaghya bighairil haqqi wa an tushrikoo billaahi maa lam yunazzil bihee sultaananw wa an taqooloo 'alal laahi maa laa ta'lamoon”

“The things that God has indeed forbidden are

• shameful deeds, whether open or secret;
• sins and trespasses against truth or reason;
• assigning of partners to Allah, for which He has given no authority; and
• saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.”

Quran 7.33

Quran condemns people who hoard wealth with the hope that it would make them last forever. These people don’t ever think of sharing their wealth with the needy. They don’t donate.

Unfortunately, such foolish people will perish one day with no trace left.

“Al-lazi jama'a maalaw wa'addadah

Yahsabu anna maalahu akhladah

Kalla layum ba zanna fil hutamah”

“…who piles up wealth and lays it by, thinking that his wealth would make him last forever!

By no means! He will be sure to be thrown into that which breaks him to pieces.”

Quran 104.2 – 104.4

The battle against time is just futile. We are going to lose it one day.

Quran says

“Wal' asr. Innal insaana lafee khusr”

“By time, verily man is in loss”

Quran 103.1, 103.2

Quran lists the exceptional cases as

“Il lal lazeena aamanu wa 'amilus saali haati wa tawa saw bil haqqi wa tawa saw bis sabr”

“Except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and join together in the mutual teaching of truth, and of patience and constancy.”

Quran 103.3

Only our righteous deeds are going to make us immortal. Not only we have to lead a righteous life, but encourage others also to join us, and lead an impeccable life.

Only then, our life is going to be worth living and we will be remembered even after we leave this world. That is how we become immortal and win over time. Not by amassing wealth!

PS: Quoted from Dr. King’s book “Towards a better understanding of Islam”