In general, trade
is lawful and permissible in Islam, for it is an exchange of products between
the buyer and seller. But when harm may be incurred to either of the two
parties, the trade is deemed unlawful and prohibited.
Allah (s.w.t.) says:
O you who
believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves unjustly. [4:29]
1. Earn Profits
Through Purest Means
Islam has deemed the profits made from trade of the purest and
best means of earning a living.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) was asked about which earning was best and most pure, and he
replied:
“Work
done by a person using his own hands [i.e.
manual labor] and every truthful and sincere trade.”  [Ahmad]
2. Truthfulness While Doing Business
Islam has
enjoined that the individual be truthful while conducting business. The Prophet
(s.a.w.) said
“A
Muslim merchant who is truthful and trustworthy will be with the martyrs on the
Day of Requital.”  [al-Haakim]
3. One Should Explain Any Faults Which May Not Be Apparent In
The Product.
The Prophet
(s.a.w.) said:
“It
is impermissible for anyone to sell anything except if he clarifies any fault
that may be found in it, and anyone who knows of it should (also) clarify it.” [Ahmad]
4. One Should Not
Cheat.
Abu Hurairah narrated
that the Prophet (s.a.w.) passed by a pile of food. He put his hands inside it and
felt water on his fingers. He said:
“What
is this, o seller of (this) food?” He said: 'It
was left out in the rain, O Messenger of Allah!” He said, “Could you not
have put it on top of the food so that people could see it? Whoever deceives (people)
is not from us.” [Muslim]
5. A Person Should Be Truthful In His Dealings And Not Lie.
The Prophet
(s.a.w.) said:
“The two parties (involved
in the trade) have an option (to cancel the trade) as long as they
have not parted. If they have both told the truth and clarified all aspects,
their trade will be blessed for them. But if they conceal (faults and other
aspects) and lie, the blessings of the trade will be wiped out.” [al-Bukhari
and Muslim]
6. Be Tolerance When Buying and Selling.
One should be
easygoing while buying and selling, for it is a means to form and strengthen
relations between the buyer and seller and does away with the causes of
materialism which destroy human and brotherly relationships. The Prophet
(s.a.w.) said:
“May
Allah have mercy on a person who is easygoing when he buys, sells, or asks the
repayment of a loan.” [al-Bukhari]
7. One Should Not
Swear Oaths When He Trades.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
“Be careful and stay away from swearing many oaths when
trading, for [if he does so falsely] the buyer
will buy, but then its blessing will be wiped out.” [Muslim]
It encourages that one take back the sale if a person is
regretful of the purchase. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
“Whoever
takes back the sale of his brother, Allah will take back [the punishment] of his slips on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Abu Dawood & ibn Maajah]
These are some of
the manners and etiquettes which Islam has prescribed. There are many others,
but due to brevity, we cannot mention them here.
It is sufficient
to know that there is no matter in life, except that there is a Qur'anic verse,
or Prophetic tradition which addresses it.
The reason for
this is that a Muslim's entire life would become an act of worship, and a means
to increase his good deeds.
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