Professional Honesty

Professional honesty makes one dependable in the eyes of others. Then one can find a place of honour amongst one’s own people and in other communities.

The Prophet of Islam migrated from Makkah to Madinah in the thirteenth year of his prophethood. It is this journey which is known as the Hijra, or emigration. This was the most risky journey, because the Makkan leaders were bent upon killing him. He had to reach Madinah in secrecy. It was certain that when he left Makkah for Madinah, the Makkan leaders would send their people in hot pursuit of him.

In such circumstances many kinds of precautions were necessary, for instance, after leaving Makkah, going in the opposite direction to Madinah, then staying in the cave of Thaur, initially walking on foot and then after some distance riding on camel back, avoiding the known path for the path not known to people, and so on. In ancient times, when there were no roads such a journey could be undertaken only with the help of an expert guide. Otherwise, it was impossible.

The Prophet of Islam and his companion, Abu Bakar Siddiq, selected one Abdullah ibn Urayqit, to guide them on this journey. Abdullah ibn Urayqit used to guide people over long distances as a profession and, although he was a polytheist and belonged to the community of those who were hostile to the Prophet, the Prophet still accepted him on this risky journey. (Sirah Ibn Hisham, v. 2, p. 98)

What was the reason for this selection? The reason was that although Abdullah ibn Urayqit belonged to the community of the Prophet’s dire opponents, he was known for his professional honesty, that is, he was totally sincere in his profession. Whatever service he accepted, or whatever responsibility he undertook, he performed it with total honesty. In the matter of his undertaking he did not let his beliefs or any other personal interests come in the way.

Professional honesty is a quality which makes one dependable in the eyes of others. Even his enemies trusted him. He behaved in such a way that people took him at his word. He thus had a place of honour amongst his own people as well as those of other communities.