| The Quran is the divine revelation given by Allah | | | | still has to ensure his consumers are satisfied. |
| to Prophet Mohammed through angel Gabriel. | | | | According to Islam, profits are just means to |
| Thought to be composed around the 632 AD, the | | | | keep the business alive; the end is consumer |
| Quran has one of the most effective, efficient | | | | satisfaction. Unlike other religious texts, the |
| and enforceable tenets that benefit consumers. | | | | contrast of the Quran is that it is very specific |
| Apparently consumer protection had been a topic | | | | about what can and cannot be done while |
| of contemplation in the wise minds of men in the | | | | conducting trade practices. The Quran is also |
| pre-Mohammedan era in the Arabian Peninsula. | | | | stringent in imposing the harshest punishments on |
| Islam arrived in India in the 7th century and has | | | | those who resort to unethical practices. |
| played a very influential role in Indian consumerism | | | | The Quran is very verbal about the importance |
| ever since. | | | | of contracts. In 5:1, the Quran quotes "The |
| The story of how Islam came to India is an apt | | | | almighty says... O you who believe! Fulfill your |
| illustration of what Islam preaches when it comes | | | | contracts". The concept of standardized weights |
| to trade practices. In 624 AD, during the life of | | | | and measures was well advanced in the Islamic |
| prophet Muhammed, one of his disciples Malik Bin | | | | society. Chapter 83, verses 1 to 3 goes, "Woe to |
| Deenar came to Kerala. He started trading with | | | | those that deal in fraud; Those who when they |
| the locals in a stark contrasting pattern; one filled | | | | have to receive by measure from men, exact full |
| with honesty, ethics and genuine concern for the | | | | measure, but when they have to give by |
| consumer (buyer). The impressed locals informed | | | | measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do |
| the local king Cheraman Perumal, who summoned | | | | they not think that they will be called to |
| Malik to his court room to understand why his | | | | account?". Chapter 17, verse 35 further |
| practices were different from other traders. | | | | elaborates "Give full measure when ye measure, |
| There Malik informed him that he was a follower | | | | and weigh with a balance that is straight; that is |
| of Islam and all his honest principles were derived | | | | the most fitting and the most advantageous in |
| from the teachings of prophet Muhammed. | | | | the final determination." |
| The story goes on that the impressed king | | | | Today, in the day of hoarding for artificially |
| Cheraman Perumal became the first Indian to | | | | manipulating the prices, it's noteworthy that the |
| convert as a Muslim, and thereafter he left for his | | | | Quran prohibits storage of food grains for more |
| hajj to Mecca. The message of the story is that | | | | than 40 days with the idea of gaining prices. It is |
| the emphasis that Islam placed on honest and | | | | amazing that a literary miracle written over 1400 |
| ethical practices was impressive enough to win | | | | years ago had the insights on post modern |
| the heart of a king himself along with several | | | | consumer concepts such as standardization / |
| followers. | | | | calibration of measures, anti-hoarding principles for |
| For a Muslim businessman, there is no other way | | | | the supply chain, contractual law, and necessity |
| than to satisfy a consumer. Even if the market | | | | for transparency / accountability in the |
| and economic forces drive down the profits, he | | | | macroeconomic system of a nation. |