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The lure of business is great, and it can turn a businessman’s attention exclusively to numbers, counting his
capital and the profits of his business. Even during the Prophet’s own lifetime the following incident occurred:
while the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was addressing a gathering, the news came that a caravan of merchandise had
arrived. The people rushed out, leaving the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) behind, upon which Allâh Ta‘ala admonished
them: But when they see some business or amusement, they disperse to it and leave thee standing. Say:
‘What is with Allâh is better than amusement and than business; and Allâh is the best of providers.’ (62:11)
Accordingly, a person who, in a vortex of commercial activity, can remain steadfast, with the fear of Allâh in
his heart and the mention of Him on his lips, most certainly deserves to be in the company of the favored of
Allâh: the prophets, the witnesses to the truth, and the martyrs in His cause.
The example of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) in relation to business and trade is sufficient in itself. On the other
hand he was eager to nurture the spiritual aspect; thus, he built the mosque in Madinah on the foundation of
piety and seeking the pleasure of Allâh, as a gathering place for worship, as a university for teaching and
learning, as the headquarters for the call toward Islâm, and as the seat of the government. On the other
hand, he was equally eager to develop the economic aspect; thus, he established an Islâmic marketplace in
which the Jews had not the authority they had previously possessed in the marketplace of Banu Qaynqa‘.
The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) himself organized the rules of business dealing, explaining and teaching its various
aspects. There was to be no cheating nor misrepresentation, nor hoarding, nor undercutting, and the like.
These topics will form the subject of our discussion under the heading of “Human Affairs” in the chapter
entitled “The Halal and the Haram in the Daily Life of Muslims.”
Among the Companions of the Prophet (peace be n him) we find skilled traders as well as craftsmen,
farmers, and every other kind of professional person and worker. In their midst was Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.) to whom the Speech of Allâh came down, who was visited by Jibril, the Trustworthy Spirit, bringing
the revelations from Allâh, and who guided the people by the Light of these heavenly messages. Each of the
Companions loved this noble Messenger (s.a.w.s.) from the depths of his being; he wished nothing more
than to be in his company and disliked nothing more than being parted from him. Yet we find that each of
them was busy with his work, this one journeying over the earth on a business trip, that one working in his
palm-grove and farm, and yet another busy with his craft. Anyone who missed any part of the teaching of the
Messenger (s.a.w.s.) asked his friends about whatever he could, and the Prophet told those who listened to
him to pass on his instructions to those who were absent. Among his Companions, the Helpers (Ansar, or
people of Madinah) were, by and large, farmers and growers of date-palms, while the majority of the
Immigrants from Makkah (Muhajireen) were engaged in trade and business.
Here is ‘Abdur Rahman ibn ‘Auf, the Muhajir, and here is Sa‘d ibn al-Rabi‘, the Ansar, who were made
brothers-in-Allâh by the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) when the Muslims of Makkah migrated to Madinah. S‘ad offered
‘Abdur Rahman half of his property, one of his two houses, and asked him to choose one of his two wives so
that he might divorce her. This noble sacrifice was gratefully declined by a noble excuse. “May Allâh bless
you in your wealth and your family,‘‘ said ‘Abdur Rahman to Sa‘d. “I have no need for them. Only tell me
which market has the most trading activity.” “The Bani Qaynqa‘ Market,” said Sa‘d. ‘Abdur Rahman went
to the market with some cheese and butter, and spent the day buying and selling. He continued his trading
activity until he became one of the wealthiest men among the Muslims, leaving behind a huge estate when
he died.
And here is Abû Bakr al-Siddiq who was a trader. Even on the day on which he was elected caliph by the
Muslims, he had been planning to go to the market. And here is ‘Umar, who said about himself, “Going to
the market kept me from listening to the hadith of Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.).” And here are also ‘Uthman
and great many others who were engaged in trade and commerce.
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Prohibited Kinds of Trade
Islâm does not prohibit any trade except those which involve injustice, cheating, making exorbitant profits, or
the promotion of something which is haram.
It is haram to do business in alcoholic beverages, intoxicants, drugs, swine, idols, statues, or anything of this
sort whose consumption and use Islâm has prohibited. Any earnings from such business are sinful earnings,
and the Fire is likely to be the abode for the flesh which has been nourished on such earnings. Honesty and
trustworthiness in such businesses will not be counted as meritorious‘ for Islâm came to fight and destroy
such practices.
However, there is no objection to trading in gold and silk because they are permitted to women, except if
something is made of these materials exclusively for the use of men.
Even if the trading is in entirely halal things, a merchant must still adhere to many moral considerations so
that he may not join the ranks of the wicked, for “Indeed, the wicked will be in hell.” (82:14). One day when
the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was going to the mosque, he saw some people engaged in selling. “O merchants,”
he called out to them. When they turned their faces toward him, some of them craning their necks to listen to
what he had to say, he said, Merchants will be raised up on the Day of Resurrection as wicked people, with
the exception of those who fear Allâh, do righteous deeds, and are truthful. (Reported by al-Tirmidhî Ibn
Mâjah, Ibn Hibban, and al-Hakim.)
Waithelah ibn al-Asqa‘ said, “We were business people. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) frequently came to us, and
he would say, “Merchants, beware of lying.” (Reported by al-Tabarani)
Thus, he warned tagainst lying about their merchandise, since this is the weakness of merchants. Lying
leads to wrongdoing, and that in turn leads to the Fire. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) warned in general against
swearing and, in particular, against swearing to a lie, saying, On the Day of Ressurection Allâh will not look
at three (kinds of) persons nor purify them. One of them is the person who swears (to the truth) while lying
about his merchandise. (Compiled by Muslim and others.)
Abû Sa‘id narrated, “An Arab with a sheep passed by me and I said, ‘Will you sell it for three dirhams?‘ He
replied, ‘No, by Allâh!‘ but then he sold it to me. I mentioned this to Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.), who
remarked, He sold his Hereafter for this world. (Reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih.)
The merchant should beware of cheating, for the cheater is outside the community of Islâm; he should
beware of tampering with the scales when weighing; beware of hoarding lest he forfeit the protection of Allâh
and His Messenger (s.a.w.s.); and beware of dealing in usury or interest (riba), for Allâh has prohibited it,
and the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said, “A dirham of riba which a person consumes knowingly is worse than
committing zina thirty-six times.” (Reported by Ahmad on the authority of sound transmitters.) We will
elaborate on all these matters when we come to the topic “Human Affairs.”
Salaried Employment
The Muslim is free to seek employment in the service of the government, an organization, or an individual as
long as he is able to do his work satisfactorily and carry out his duties. However, he is not permitted to seek
a job for which he is unfit, especially if the job carries judicial or executive authority. Abû Hurairah (r.a.)
reported the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) as saying, Woe to the rulers, the leaders, and the trustees! On the Day of
Resurrection some people will wish that they could be suspended between heaven and earth rather than
having had the burden of their responsibilities. (Reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, and by al-Hakim who
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