4.27. UNLAWFUL TRADE

                         


 
God says

… he who deceives shall be faced with his deceit on the Day of Resurrection, when every human being will be paid in full for whatever he has done, and none shall be wronged. -- Q.3:161

O you who have attained to faith! Do not devour one another’s possessions wrongfully – not even by way of trade based on mutual agreement  … Q.4:29

You are obsessed by greed more and more until you go down to your graves.* -- Q.102:1,2
  * The Arabic term “takasur” bears the connotation of “greedily striving for an increase,” i.e., in benefits, be they tangible or intangible, real or illusory.  In the context it denotes man’s obsessive striving for more and more comfort, more and more materials goods, greater power over his fellowmen, or over nature, and unceasing technological progress.  A passionate pursuit of such endeavors to the exclusion of everything else, bars man from all spiritual insights, and hence from the acceptance of any restrictions and inhibition based on purely ‘moral’ values -- with the result that not only individuals but whole societies gradually lose all inner stability and, thus, all chance of happiness.  


Prophet said

Ali reported that the Messenger of God forbade purchase from a needy person (talking advantage of his need)…  Abu Daud.

“Whoever sells a defective thing without disclosing the defect continues to be in the wrath of God.” – H: Ibn.Majah. N: Waselah-b-Asqa’a.

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of God passed by a heap of corn.  He thrusted his hands into it and his hands touched the moisture.  He asked, “O owner of this corn, what is this?”.  The owner replied: the rain fell on it, O holy Prophet. “(why) have you not turned-over the corn like this so that people could see it,” said the Messenger of God, “Whoever deceives is not of me.”-- H: Muslim.
“Nobody shall bargain over the bargain of his brother Muslim”* --  H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
* ‘Nobody’ refers to Muslim as well as non-Muslim, coming forward, offering higher price after an agreement of sale and purchase has been reached with someone else.

4.26. TRADE AND COMMERCE (concluded)

God says

O you who have attained to faith! When the call to prayer is sounded on the day of congregation [i.e., Friday], hasten to remembrance of God, and leave all worldly commerce: this is for your own good, if you but knew it. And when the prayer (of Friday congregation) is ended, disperse freely on earth and seek*  to obtain (something) of God’s bounty; but remember God often, so that you might attain to a happy state! – Q. 62:9,10

*In topic 24, you have noted that the Prophet said: “To search after lawful earning is compulsory after obligatory injunctions.” It is quoted by Baihaqi and narrated by Abdullah-b-Masud.

God says in verse 4: 34: “Men shall take full care of women with the bounties that God has bestowed more abundantly on the former than the latter, and with what they may spend out of their possession.” Man should never forget his responsibility when the wife too has to earn.

 
Prophet said

“May God be kind to the man of gentle dealings when he sells, when he purchases and when he gives decision” -- H: Bukhari. N: Jabir.

“Indeed the trader, (who is a believer and) who is honest and trustworthy both in word and in deed, will arise on the Resurrection Day with the prophets of God, with  the pious and the martyrs” -- fazail-e-tijarat by Shaikul Hadees Maulana Mohd. Zakariya.

“…if they (buyers and sellers) speak the truth  and (the seller) discloses the defect, they are blessed in their transaction." 
-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Hakeem bin Hizam.

4.26. TRADE AND COMMERCE (to be continued)

God says

… God has made buying and selling lawful and usury unlawful. … Q.2:275

… And have witnesses whenever you trade with one another, but neither scribe nor witnesses must suffer harm;* for if you do [them harm], behold, it will be sinful conduct on your part. And remain conscious of God, since it is God who teaches you [herewith]. And God has full knowledge of everything. – Q.2:282 (end of verse)                                    

 [There are] people whom neither commerce nor striving after gain can divert from the remembrance of God nor from constancy in prayer, and from charity: [people] who are filled with fear [at the thought of the Day on which all hearts and eyes will be convulsed, [and who only hope] that God may reward them in accordance with the best they ever did, and give them, out of His bounty more [than they deserve]: for God grants sustenance unto  whom He wills beyond all reckoning. -- Q.24:37


Prophet said

 “Take to trade because there are nine parts in it out of ten parts of sustenance” -- Ghazali’s “Ihya”.

“….every honest transaction (is purest)” – H: Ahmad. N: Rafe-b-khudaiji.