The Garden of Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

28 Rabi ut Thaani 1446/01 November 2024

All praise is due to Allah, the Cherisher, Sustainer, Nourisher and Provider of the entire creation. May peace, blessings and salutations be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammed ﷺ.

As Muslims, we have the responsibility of displaying what is Islam in every aspect of our life, whether it may be within our social circles, working/business environment or even in our political affairs. One of the best places to display the value system of Islam is in the business environment. The way we conduct ourselves in our business operations may be a form of guidance for those around us and those who do business with us.

Allah commands us in the Quran to ensure fairness and justice in all our dealings.

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا۟ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ فَرِيقًۭا مِّنْ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

“Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly, nor deliberately bribe authorities in order to devour a portion of others’ property, knowing that it is a sin.” – Surah Baqarah, verse 188.

One may ask, what are some of the ways in which we can bring about the Islamic value system into the business?

1. Ensure fair and equal treatment of all employees and consumers.
2. Be compassionate and kind to your employees and consumers. Find out how their day has been going, how are their family members and offer them good wishes and prayers.
3. Always stick to your word and keep your promises.
4. Avoid looking for shortcuts and bribing officials to get tenders.
5. Refrain from exploiting and oppressing consumers with pricing of goods and services. Our role as human beings is to make life easier for the next person.
6. If there are any defects in an item of sale, the onus is on the seller to inform the buyer of these defects.
7. If you are working for someone else, all of the above apply however beyond that ensure that you are punctual, honest, hardworking and respectful.

As mentioned in one of our previous articles, one may have all of his/her ducks in a row to meet the technical standards for Shariah compliance, however if that same person is always looking for an opportunity to cut corners and pay bribes to receive tenders or speed up transactions and procedures, can it be said that a business/person is truly Shariah compliant? Therefore it is important for us to ensure that not only are our products Shariah compliant but the manner in which we operate and do business are Shariah compliant.

We ask Allah to bless us in our businesses, may Allah allow for us to be a means of guidance for those around us through our business practices and values and may Allah accept our efforts from us and grant us understanding In Sha Allah!