Honest Trader

For Traders

Honest trader

Sayed In’aam Raza Attari Madani

To earn enough Halal income that suffices for yourself and your family is Fard. There are many ways of earning a Halal income, from which one excellent way is ‘trading.’ Alongside being a Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, trading is also an excellent means of earning a living. ‘Allah Almighty divided sustenance into ten parts and apportioned nine parts to trading, and one part to the entire world.’ (Islami Zindagi, p. 149)

Trading can only be a good source of income and a means of goodness in this world and the Hereafter if the trader adopts truthfulness and faithfulness. Just as the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Indeed, the best income is of those traders who do not tell lies when speaking, do not show treachery when they are trusted, do not break their promises, do not rebuke others when they purchase things (from someone else), do not falsely praise their (own goods) when selling them, do not delay (in paying) when they are in debt, and do not make it difficult for others when they are owed.’ (Shuab Al-Iman, Vol. 4, p. 221, Hadees. 4854)

If a trader avoids lying, treachery and deception, and carries out his trading with truthfulness and integrity, he can achieve success in both, this world and the Hereafter, just as it is mentioned in a Hadith, ‘The truthful and trustworthy trader will be the Prophets عَلَیْہِمُ الصَّلٰوۃُ وَالسَّلَام, Siddiqeen and martyrs (on the Day of Judgement).’ (Tirmizi, Vol. 3, p. 5, Hadees. 1213)

Under this Hadith, Hakeem al-Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan عَلَیْہِ رَحْمَۃُ الْحَنَّان states: “From this we come to know that from all occupations, trading is the superior occupation, and then trading in grains, followed by clothes and perfume is superior from this. Trading in the necessities of the world and the religion are the best among the forms of trade. Moreover, a truthful Muslim trader is even more fortunate, for he will be among the Prophets and Awliya on the plains of resurrection. However, this companionship will be like that of a servant before his master; it does not mean that the trader will become a Prophet. A good trader is a king, and an evil trader is a sinner.” (Mir’at ul Manajeeh, Vol. 4, p. 244)

In another Hadith, it is stated, ‘A truthful trader will be in the shade of the Throne on the Day of Judgement.’ (Kanz ul ‘Ummaal, Vol. 2, p. 5, Part. 4 Hadees. 9214) Therefore, in order to attain these virtues and blessings, and to earn a Halal income, all traders should operate with truthfulness and integrity, and should never take false oaths to sell their goods, because, ‘Goods are sold with a false oath, but the blessings depart.’ (Kanz ul ‘Ummaal, Vol. 8, p. 297, Part. 16, Hadees. 46376)

Do not untruthfully praise your goods, rather, if they contain any defects or faults, mention them to the customer. May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to earn and consume Halal sustenance in accordance to the Shari’ah and Sunnah.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن  صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلہٖ وَسَلَّم