For many of us, this is the time of the year where we submit our write-ups for our Annual Performance Appraisals. Unfortunately as well, this is the time where ‘stories’ of achievements are ‘pumped up’, dramatized, exaggerated, and in some cases, falsely claimed or fabricated – all in an effort to artificially ‘make’ our performances look good, sometimes overwhelmingly so, to the point where it overshadows one’s shortcomings, and make others ‘overlook’ our faults, and thus eventually drive evaluators from the factual holistic picture.
A similar situation happened in the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and his stern and firm response is a timely reminder for us to get in line.
Once, the Prophet ﷺ passed by a merchant selling food grains. The Prophet dipped his hand in the food to examine it, and noticed that the food underneath was damp and wet. He then asked the merchant,
“O owner of the food! What is this?”
The merchant replied, “rain befell the food (and thus it was spoilt), O Messenger of Allah”
The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Why not put the (spoilt) food at the top so that people can see it?”
And then he said,
مَنْ غَشَّ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا
“Whomsoever cheats, he is not from amongst us” (Narrated in At-Tirmidzi, Abu Daud, ibn Majah, sahih)
The merchant tried to “hide” the more defective grains and put the good quality ones at the top where it was visible to the buyers, so he could charge full price, to the ignorance of the buyer. But in fact, the Prophet strictly reminded the merchant that this is a form of cheating and deception; not only that, but he went to the extent to disown those who cheat – from being amongst his ummah.
Just like in the story of the merchant above, when our performance appraisal write-up paints an ‘altered’ picture of the truth, the one who eloquently writes up – may successfully cover up his faults, giving him undue credit. Conversely, for the one who has performed well, but lacks in eloquence or creative write-ups, will unfairly not receive his due rights.
The Prophet ﷺ said, "I am only a human being, and you people (opponents) come to me with your cases; and it may be that one of you can present his case eloquently in a more convincing way than the other, and I give my verdict according to what I hear.
So if ever I judge (by error) and give the right of a brother to his other (brother) then he (the latter) should not take it, for I am giving him only a piece of (the Hell) Fire." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari).
Organizations should create and improve systems that have objective performance targets that do not rely on eloquent ‘marketing’ or ‘beefed up’ write-ups for them to filter out good performers from the lesser. Similarly, it should create an environment that makes shortcomings or individual pitfalls as a means of improvement and progressiveness, not to point fingers and blame.
We as individuals, on the other hand, should be very careful about what we present, to be 100% honest, do not claim what is not rightfully our achievements, do not exaggerate or ‘over-dramatize’ the facts to paint a wrong picture other than what the facts actually are, and be courageous to own up our mistakes or shortcomings.
Honesty may hurt, but in the context of this world being temporary, it is better to bear the painful lesson, than a false success.
At the end of the day, no system is perfect, and human beings make mistakes; just have tawakkal, trust that Allah – the All-Just, All-Wise, All-hearing, All-Knowing – will Return what is due to the rightful ones, in this world or the next.
May Allah make us amongst those who are truthful and transparent in all our dealings.
