The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli : Holy Qur’an Speaks
(continued from last week)
Buying and Selling
Buying and selling is encouraged in Islam because it is a legitimate and honourable means of earning a livelihood as it is based on exchange of benefits between the seller and the purchaser.As is the case with every other facet of life, Islam provides clear cut guidance, advice and instruction on this.
Allah Almighty has revealed countless verses pertaining to aspects of trade, business and monetary dealings.
The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) not only relayed all these verses which were revealed to him but, by Divine instruction, even explained and elaborated many more aspects in finer detail.
Below are some of the major aspects incorporated in Islamic etiquette of buying and selling:
- 1. No harm should be intended or brought onto either party. In case any harm occurs to either party, the dealing becomes unlawful based on the following verse of The Holy Qur’aan, “O you who believe! Do not usurp your wealth among yourselves by (using) incorrect (prohibited) ways,” (Ch4:29).
One should never become so materially centred that this leads them to cause harm and loss to the other party.
- There should be no element of deceit from either party, especially the seller.
He/she should not try and sell off the commodity/goods by deceit as this will create animosity and tension in community and indeed incur the wrath of The Almighty.
Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) once happened to pass by a heap of corn (in the market place). He thrust his hand in that heap and his fingers were moistened.
He said to the owner of that heap, “What is this?” He replied, “O Messenger of Allah, these have been drenched by rainfall.” He remarked, “Why did you not place this (the drenched part of the heap) on top so that people could see it? He who deceives is not of us (that is, not my follower).”
Unfortunately, in this day and age of extreme material passions and pursuit, many a person will cheat and deceive by mixing some of the original with that which is fake or even just present the fake only and try and pass it as the original, and so forth!
- A true Believer in The Almighty must observe truthfulness and transparency in all dealings. Truthfulness and clear description (of defects, if any) is required in accordance with the Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) saying, “Both parties in a business transaction have the right to annul it as long as they have not separated (parted ways after the deal). Accordingly, if they speak the truth and make everything clear they will be blessed in their transaction; but if they tell a lie and conceal anything, the blessing of their transaction will be blotted out.”
It must be understood that real happiness and peace is achieved when we are granted blessings by The Almighty in our livelihood.
Hence, it follows that it is the quality that matters and not the quantity. One should never be tempted to just increase sales and turnover by telling lies, concealing defects in goods, and so forth. Such deals will be devoid of any blessings which in the long run will become a source of anxiety and distress.
- Benevolence and fair dealing is also recommended in business, since this is a means of strengthening seller-buyer relations as pointed out by Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), “May Allah have mercy on a person who is easy and courteous when he sells, buys or asks for the payment of his dues.” That is because Islam wants this ease of dealing and tolerance in matters of selling and buying to save people from literally chasing after material interests that undermine brotherly and human relations.
- 5. One must also avoid swearing oaths when selling goods, as the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) instructed his companions, and all Believers, very clearly saying, “Avoid excessive oaths while selling (your goods), for in the beginning it promotes business and then it brings all loss.”
These is but some of the Islamic etiquette and ethics, and there are many others literally covering all aspects of human life – social, economic, spiritual and so forth.
Suffice it to say that no human affair, private or public, goes without Qur’anic or Prophetic instruction or guidance that defines or regulates it.
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department,
PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
