Fair Business Practices are a part of Islam

Islam stresses fair treatment of the Buyer and also of the Seller

islam-qa "The merchants will be raised on the Day of Resurrection...".  Please see question 77225

Bukhari 3:34:345 Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:The Prophet forbade the selling of foodstuff before receiving it. I consider that all types of sellings should be done similarly.

Muslim 10:3617 Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as having said this: One amongst you should not enter into a transaction when another is bargaining.

Quran 38:24   (David) said: "He has undoubtedly wronged thee in demanding thy (single) ewe to be added to his (flock of) ewes: truly many are the partners (in business) who wrong each other: Not so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and how few are they?"...and David gathered that We had tried him: he asked forgiveness of his Lord, fell down, bowing (in prostration), and turned (to Allah in repentance). 

Abdullaah Ibn Umar in Bukhari/Muslim There are four traits which whoever possesses is a pure hypocrite; and whoever has any one of them has a trait of hypocrisy, until he gets rid of it: When entrusted, he embezzles (cheats); when speaks, he lies; when promises, he reneges (breaks them); and, when quarrels, he abuses (uses foul language).

Reported from Aboo Hurairah in Muslim A hypocrite is known by three traits: When he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he reneges; when he is entrusted, he cheats (embezzles). Reported from Aboo Hurairah in Bukhaaree. The same hadeeth in Muslim mentions that he will be considered hypocrite: “even if he prays and fasts.”

Ibn Majah #2144 The importer [of an essential commodity] into the town will be fed [by Allah], and the hoarder will have [Allah’s] curse upon him.

Reported by Baihiqi in Shu’abul-eeman The person who is not trustworthy is devoid of Eemaan (Islamic faith) and the one who does not keep promises is devoid of Deen (Islamic lifestyle).

Reported from Ibn Umar in Targheeb with reference to At-Tabaraani There can be no faith without Amaanah (trustworthiness, honesty), no Salaah (Islamic prayer) without Tahaarah (ritual purity, cleanliness and wudu), and no Deen without Salaah. Salaah has the same significance in Deen as head in human physique.

Reported by Ahmad and Baihiqi from Aboo Umaamah A believer (Muslim) might have, being subject to the frailty of human nature, other bad traits but not dishonesty or lying.

Special warning and praise- (especially for Muslim wholesalers and resellers)

Bukhari 3:50:884 Narrated Abu Huraira The Prophet said, "No town-dweller should sell for a bedouin. Do not practice Najsh (i.e. Do not offer a high price for a thing which you do not want to buy, in order to deceive the people). No Muslim should offer more for a thing already bought by his Muslim brother, nor should he demand the hand of a girl already engaged to another Muslim.A Muslim woman shall not try to bring about The divorce of her sister (i.e. another Muslim woman) in order to take her place herself."

Bukhari 3:34:372 Narrated Tawus: I asked Ibn 'Abbas, "What is the meaning of, 'No town dweller should sell (or buy) for a desert dweller'?" Ibn 'Abbas said, "It means he should not become his broker."

Bukhari 3:34:374 Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "You should not try to cancel the purchases of one another (to get a benefit thereof), and do not go ahead to meet the caravan (for buying the goods) (but wait) till it reaches the market."

Reported by Baihiqi in Shu’abul-eeman from Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Abee Quraad If loving Allaah and His Messenger or being loved by Allaah and His Messenger pleases a person, then he must tell the truth whenever he speaks, give back the trust when entrusted, and behave superbly to his neighbours.”

Reported by Baihiqi in Shu’abul-eeman from ‘Ubaadah Ibn Saamit You guarantee me consistent practice of six actions, I will guarantee you Jannah (Paradise): Be truthful when you speak, fulfill promises when you commit, pay up when you are entrusted, protect your private parts, lower your gaze (turn away from inappropriate sights), withhold your hands (from doing improper things).

Aboo Saeed in At-Tirmidzee A truthful and honest businessman will be in the company of prophets, their sincerest companions and martyrs.

Aboo Hurairah in At-Tirmidzee A consultant is a trustee.

Bukhari 8:74:303 Narrated 'Abdullah the Prophet said "When three persons are together, then no two of them should hold secret counsel excluding the third person."

Islam stresses fair treatment of the Employee

Ibn Majah #2434 The Prophet (sws) is also reported to have said:The wages of the labourers must be paid to him before the sweat dries upon his body.

Bukhari #2109 I will be foe to three persons on the Last Day: one of them being the one who, when he employs a person that has accomplished his duty, does not give him his due.

Bukhari 3:34:430 Narrated Abu Huraira The Prophet said, "Allah says, 'I will be against three persons on theDay of Resurrection

1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but he proves treacherous.

2. One who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price,

3. And one who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages.' "

Bukhari #2359 Those are your brothers [workers under you] who are around you, Allah has placed them under you. So, if anyone of you has someone under him, he should feed him out of what he himself eats, clothe him like what he himself puts on, and let him not put so much burden on him that he is not able to bear, [and if that be the case], then lend your help to him.

Prayer takes precedence over business dealings/job

Quran 62:9 O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew!

Forbidden business dealings

Quran 5:1 Forbidden to you [for food] are: dead meat, the blood, the flesh of swine and that on which name of other than Allah has been mentioned.

Quran 5:90 O you who believe! intoxicants and gambling [dedication of] stones and [divination by] arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork: so avoid it in order that you may prosper.

Ahmad #2546 If Allah makes something unlawful, he makes its price also unlawful.

Kanz Al-‘Ammal #9258 The one who knowingly purchases a stolen good, is a partner to the act of sin and the shame.

A special mention on piracy of materials that are manufactured and sold by any Muslim business, anywhere in the world

islam-qa Surat al-Baqarah 2:41:Please see question 32752, 10524, and 98250

Ya Allah(swt), please forgive us, (Muslim Audio and it's affiliates) for our mistakes and shortcomings.  Ameen.

.....And as an added touch of humor We offer three kinds of service:  GOOD. CHEAP. FAST. You can pick any (2) but generally- GOOD service CHEAP won't be FAST.  GOOD service FAST won't be CHEAP.  FAST service CHEAP won't be GOOD.

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