Be kind when buying and selling

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

Here is a short reminder about the basic Islamic etiquette when dealing with purchases or sales, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: May Allah show mercy to a man who is kind when he sells, when he buys, and when he makes a claim. [Bukhari]

We see today that many transactions occur in such a bad manner especially in cases where prices are negotiable for an item or service. Our ego gets in the way – we find the buyer is extremely harsh and rude; the seller treats the buyer in such an ugly manner; the person claiming a refund or retrieving a loan from someone is very aggressive. The prophet (ﷺ) in this hadith made a dua, that the one who refrains from such negativity and deals with people kindly will be shown mercy by Allah – and let us not forget that his dua is always accepted.

Let us be of those who treat people with respect when buying or selling an item or service and let us be respectful when making claims even when we are in the right. The people we deal with not only see us as human beings, but also see us representing Islam. If we deal with others with bad manners it will push them away from our deen, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Islam is a responsibility of us all, not only in our worship of Allah but also in our conduct. If our conduct is ugly, then how are we truly worshipping? The prophet (ﷺ) said:

“He who is deprived of kindness is deprived of goodness.” [Muslim]

“O Aisha, Allah is gentle and He loves gentleness. He rewards for gentleness what is not granted for harshness and He does not reward anything else like it.” [Muslim]

Allah knows best.

77 branches of Islam [52-56]

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

52. To abstain from prohibited things when undertaking monetary transactions: this includes a wide range of possible prohibited purchases that can be made such as unlawful trading, buying/selling prohibited items such as alcohol, staying away from gambling, interest, bribery etc. Our money is the wealth of Allah, and it is only be to spent on good. Allah says:

“…then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you…” [24:33]

53. Not to conceal something true which you may have witnessed: this could be related to crime or other means. An example was narrated by Iyad ibn Himar, where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “He who finds something should call one or two trusty persons as witnesses and not conceal it or cover it up; then if he finds its owner he should return it to him, otherwise it is Allah’s property which He gives to whom He will.” [Abu Dawud authenticated by al Albani]

54. To get married: the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Marriage is part of my sunnah, and whoever does not follow my sunnah has nothing to do with me. Get married, for I will boast of your great numbers before the nations. Whoever has the means, let him get married, and whoever does not, then he should fast for it will diminish his desire.” [Ibn Majah authenticated by Darrusalam]

55. To fulfil the rights of those who are under you: this is not only related to leaders of people but also managers at a workplace, mothers and fathers, anyone who has any kind of authority over someone else will have to fulfil their rights. We learn this from Abu Bakr A-Siddiq after the passing of the prophet (ﷺ), he said: “O people! I have been put in authority over you though I am not the best of you. So help me if I do right and correct me if I do wrong. Obey me as long as I obey God and His Messenger. But if I do not obey God and His Messenger, I have no right to your obedience.”

56. To provide comfort to one’s parents: the relationship we have with our parents is not taken lightly by Allah (detailed post here). Abu Umamah narrated: A man said, “Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) what rights can parents demand from their children?” He replied, “They are your Paradise and your Hell.” [Tirmidhi]

Allah knows best.

Speak truthfully and correctly

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.” [33:70]

When the phrase “fear Allah” is mentioned in the Qur’an, it is typically followed by another commandment. Allah is saying that fearing Him, being conscious of Him, being aware of His presence, all have manifestations and one of them is what follows.

The general translation here is “to say that which is right” (qolou qowlan sadida). The term “sadida” comes from the word “sad'” which is something that removes a gap or opening. It is also like a dam that blocks water from flowing through. What scholars have derived from this is that we should speak in a way which disallows any room for misinterpretation, just as a dam doesn’t allow any leakage. We have to mean what we say and be clear about what we are talking about.

A very important example of this is saying “a’salamu alaikoum”. The Sunnah of saying salam, paired up with this ayah forms a beautiful notion – one which does not allow the true believer to hold grudges or hate others. When we say Salam to others, it means “peace unto you”, and because of this ayah we must mean it from our hearts in order to meet one of the conditions of taqwa (consciousness of Allah) that Allah himself has set.

The final meaning of “qowlan sadida” is correct speech – not only say what we mean, but say the right thing. The prophet (ﷺ) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent.” [Bukhari] This applies to our tone too, as in how we say things. We can say Salam or a good word, but the way we say it puts forward a different message. Language is not just the words we use, but also our body language and the tone we take.

May Allah make us all of those who speak honestly, truthfully and correctly.

Allah knows best.

77 branches of Islam [47-51]

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

47. To pay the kaffarah for unfulfilled oaths: breaking oaths in our deen is a serious issue that has to be paid for if not fulfilled. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] – then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.” [5:89]

48. To cover the parts of the body which are compulsory: Allah has set certain rules on what we are to cover in front of others. This applies differently for men and women as discussed in a previous post (find it here) – but both are equally as important in front of Allah.

49. To make Qurbani: this is following the Sunnah of our prophet Ibrahim when he slaughtered a ram after being ordered to slaughter his own son – Allah lifted that burden from him. Since then every year in the month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world would perform Qurbani.

50. To enshroud and bury the deceased: Islam teaches us the respect and dignity that a dead person deserves. There are many hadith related to how one is go about dealing with someone who has passed away. Covering the deceased one in a white shroud is one of the Sunnahs; the prophet (ﷺ) said: “Wear white clothes, for these are your best clothes, and enshroud your dead in them.” [Tirmidhi]

51. To fulfil your debts: the issue of debts in Islam is one of great importance – it will be discussed in a future post if Allah wills. An example of how important it is: narrated by Abu Huraira: A man demanded his debts from Allah’s Apostle in such a rude manner that the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to harm him, but the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Leave him, no doubt, for he (the creditor) has the right to demand it. Buy a camel and give it to him.” They said, “The camel that is available is older than the camel he demands. “The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Buy it and give it to him, for the best among you are those who repay their debts handsomely. ” [Bukhari]

Allah knows best.

Continuous gain even after passing away

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

We all know that once we pass away, there’s no turning back. Our actions will be set in place and will determine our fate forever. There are many ways we can benefit our after life even after we have left this world, here are a few:

  • Plant a tree: every time a person or an animal eats from it or sits in its shade, it is considered charity. Some trees live for 1000s of years.
  • Participate in building a mosque: the prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house like it in Paradise.” [Muslim] Anytime someone prays in the mosque, you will be given rewards.
  • Give a Qur’an to someone: taking this further would be to purchase a few copies and distribute them in mosques; anytime someone reads from it, you will be given rewards.
  • Donate a wheelchair to a hospital: each time a sick person uses it, you will be given rewards.
  • Advise others to do the same: for each person that carries out any of the good actions to tell them about, you will be given rewards alongside them.

May Allah grant us all ease in the afterlife.

Allah knows best.

What we can contribute to Islam

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah . That is better for you, if you only knew.” [9:41]

Everyone has something that they can contribute to Islam. Whether you have a lot of money or a little, a lot of knowledge or no knowledge, a lot of talent or very little talent, march forward for Allah and His religion. Spread His word.

Send a reminder to someone you know. Teach someone a Sunnah of the prophet (ﷺ). Give in charity, even the smallest amount. Allah has given us all the ability to contribute to the religion, some more than others, but are all honoured by Allah. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.” [Muslim]

Islam is not only about our personal concerns. We must firstly guard ourselves from sins and ensure we are fulfilling our individual rights of Allah, and then do something more – something that serves a cause beyond our own needs. This is what Allah is teaching us in this Ayah.

May Allah make us of those who benefit the Ummah and contribute to the deen of Allah.

Allah knows best.