Standard
A mi‘yār is a defined measure, an agreed-upon principle, or an established point of reference against which other things are assessed, weighed, or judged. It is a symbol of consistency, unity, and reliability—whether in time, weight, length, or ethical principles. The defining trait of a mi‘yār lies in its singularity: it is one, constant and firm, and serves as the central reference point for all else.
It is no small matter that the human mind, by its very nature, seeks a single pivot, a single centre, a fixed and uniform reference for everything. Nature itself teaches us that if a river has no direction, it turns to stagnant mire; if the stars abandon their paths, caravans will lose their way. The same is true for life: every field of life depends upon this centrality we call mi‘yār.
A mi‘yār is not a mere suggestion or guidance—it is a definitive and conclusive standard. Consider, for example, the notion of standard time. All countries, institutions, and societies regulate their timekeeping by a central standard such as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This standard is not affected by local clocks; rather, all clocks must align themselves with it. This is the very hallmark of a mi‘yār: it guides—it is not guided. It is on the basis of such a principle that trains depart, planes take flight, and global markets calculate their profits and losses. If even a single minute were to be compromised, not only commerce but the very fabric of civilisation would fall apart.
Similarly, standard weights and measures are grounded on this same principle. When we say “one kilogram,” we are pointing to a specific and internationally recognised weight. All scales are calibrated according to this standard. A merchant’s scale is only acceptable when it conforms to the standard kilogram; otherwise, it is fraudulent, and his trade nullified. Likewise, “one metre” is not subject to individual interpretation or guesswork—it is defined by a precise scientific measurement, linked to the speed of light. Every measuring tape, every scale, every map is bound by this one definition. If one engineer uses his own notion of a metre and another uses his own, no bridge would remain intact, no structure would stand. These are the very standards that have made possible the advancement of science, architecture, and all industrial progress.
If multiple standards were to exist in the world, the order of life would be plunged into chaos. Imagine if every city or country defined “kilogram” or “hour” differently—commerce, science, and everyday life would face not mere inconvenience but utter disorder. No ship would reach its destination on time, no goods would be weighed accurately, and chaos would reign. The unity of standards is what enables harmony and mutual understanding. This unity underpins fair trade, precise scientific experiments, and coordinated global operations. It is this very unity that makes a single digit entered into a bank ledger valid across the world, and which gives a clause in a global treaty meaning that is consistent to all nations.
The domain of mi‘yār is not restricted to material measurements alone. Language, too, has its standards—grammar and orthography—that make understanding possible. If every author or nation moulded its language according to whim, communication would become impossible. In Arabic, naḥw (grammar) and in Persian and Urdu, qawāʿid (rules) have given the language a centre, such that even centuries later, uniformity in form and meaning remains preserved.
In ethics as well, societies have always endeavoured to adopt such a standard by which truth and falsehood, justice and injustice, good and evil can be distinguished. If the definitions of virtue and vice were left to the emotional state, personal interests, or individual preferences of each person, then tyranny would disguise itself as justice, and deceit would be deemed strategy.
Islam not only clarified these ethical standards but endowed them with a permanence and stability that is unaffected by the changing of times or the diversity of peoples. Every prophet in every age was appointed to lead humanity by this standard. They were sent to grant mankind a clear and conclusive ethical balance. The lives of the Companions and followers of the Prophets are moulded in the light of this standard. They do not themselves become standards but serve as practical embodiments, interpreters, and tangible representations of this infallible standard.
In education too, standards are defined by which students’ abilities are measured. Exam papers, syllabus limitations, and grading systems are all based on the principle that there must be a reference point to determine how much a student has learned, understood, and at what level he stands. Even in the realms of art, skill, and beauty, there are established notions of aesthetic or technical excellence. Every artist, architect, and calligrapher knows that his work will be judged by certain eyes, eyes which see through a particular lens—one that has been tested by time and accepted by human taste.
That said, these non-material or social standards can evolve over time and with cultural shifts. Nevertheless, within each particular context, they still function as recognised standards. Just as language rules have changed with time, yet every era had its own unifying centre. Ethical ideas too have shifted with history and geography, yet every civilisation upheld some core values as its standard. It is this continuity that forms the thread of human civilisation, linking past to present, and present to future.
On an intellectual and philosophical level, the notion of mi‘yār refers to an ideal model—unchanging, stable, and correct. It does not shift with public opinion or passing trends. It is a centre that gives direction to everything. The Qurʾānic verse fa-istaqim kamā umirta (“So remain steadfast as you have been commanded”) reminds us that the standard for the path of truth is set by the command of Allah, not by human desire. Thus, the concept of mi‘yār is not only practical but symbolic. Practically, it sustains systems; symbolically, it represents truthfulness, order, and principle. When a nation honours its standards, it progresses in knowledge, rises in ethics, and attains stability in civilisation. The day it abandons its standards is the day its caravan loses the way.
Whether it is time, weight, measurement, or ethical principles, the mi‘yār is always one. It is not multiple or ambiguous, but rather a pivot around which all else revolves. Its true strength lies in its singularity and centrality. As the world becomes more interconnected and complex, the importance of standards grows ever greater. These are the silent yet foundational elements that render our shared world orderly, fair, and precise. They are the suns of truth—without them, the valleys of life are dark, and the citadels of civilisation left unguarded. It is therefore imperative that we recognise, uphold, and preserve the mi‘yār, and illuminate our paths with its light.
Disclaimer: This article was translated by AI. Original post: https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/6627
