Trade has always been a cornerstone of societies throughout the ages and has received significant attention from Islamic Sharia. It has become extremely important to recall the ethics of Muslim merchants in light of the economic crises and rising living costs we face today, to exemplify the Islamic model of a Muslim merchant who neither cheats, betrays, nor lies, regardless of the circumstances, even at the expense of his profit.
We must never forget the importance of trade in spreading Islam. Islam reached Indonesia through Muslim merchants. Coming from the Middle East and South Asia, they were the first to introduce Islam to Indonesia. The morals and generosity of Muslims in trade aroused the curiosity of the Indonesians to learn about this religion, which advocates such ethics. Today, Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country, with over 200 million Muslims. Islam entered the hearts of Indonesians because of the ethics of these merchants, who then became advocates for this religion themselves!
The most important ethics that every Muslim merchant should have are:
1- Honesty and Trustworthiness: These are the most important traits in a Muslim merchant, earning him a great place in the eyes of Allah. Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The truthful, trustworthy merchant is with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1209)
This means that whoever strives for honesty and trustworthiness will be among the righteous, alongside the Prophets and truthful ones. (Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi bi Sharh Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Vol: 4, Page: 335)
Rifa'ah reported that he went with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to the Musalla, and he saw the people doing business so he said: 'O people of trade!' and they replied to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turning their necks and their gazes towards him, and he said: 'Indeed the merchants will be resurrected on the Day of judgement with the wicked, except the one who has Taqwa of Allah, who behaves charitably and is truthful.' (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1210)
2- Constant Remembrance of Allah: A Muslim merchant should not let his trade distract him from dhikr (the remembrance of Allah) and worship. His heart should remain vigilant and filled with faith. Allah says, “[They are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turn about.” (An-Nur: 37)
The Quran also warns against being preoccupied with wealth and earnings, while forgetting dhikr: “O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that – then those are the losers.” (Al-Munafiqun: 9)
3- Seeking the Lawful and Avoiding Doubts: All transactions should comply with Islamic Sharia, avoiding any doubtful or unlawful gains. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “What is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, but between them are certain doubtful things which many people do not know. So he who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and his honour blameless. But he who falls into doubtful things falls into that which is unlawful.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
A Muslim should not accept unlawful earnings to ensure his wealth is blessed and his du’a is answered. Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Allah the Almighty is Good and accepts only that which is good. And verily Allah has commanded the believers to do that which He has commanded the Messengers. So the Almighty has said: “O (you) Messengers! Eat of the tayyibat [all kinds of halal (legal) foods], and perform righteous deeds.” [23:51] and the Almighty has said: “O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you.” [2:172]” Then he (ﷺ) mentioned [the case] of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty, and who spreads out his hands to the sky saying “O Lord! O Lord!,” while his food is haram (unlawful), his drink is haram, his clothing is haram, and he has been nourished with haram, so how can [his supplication] be answered? (Muslim)
4- Easing the Burden of Others: A merchant should not pressure those he deals with, especially if they are in financial difficulty. Abu Al-Yusr reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who grants a respite to one who is in straitened circumstances or remits his debt will be taken by God under His protection.” (Sahih Muslim)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) told us about a merchant from the Children of Israel who was easy on people. Therefore, Allah rewarded him by forgiving him, “There was a merchant who used to lend the people, and whenever his debtor was in straitened circumstances, he would say to his employees, 'Forgive him so that Allah may forgive us.' So, Allah forgave him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2078)
5- Charity: Charity purifies the wealth and brings blessings. Qais bin Abu Gharazah said: “In the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) we used to be called brokers, but the Prophet (ﷺ) came upon us one day, and called us by a better name than that, saying: O company of merchants, unprofitable speech and swearing takes place in business dealings, so mix it with sadaqah (alms).'” (Sunan Abu Dawood, 3326)
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- Population of Indonesia (2024) - Population TODAY.
- The Arrival of Islam in Indonesia.. Paths and Beginnings (1), dawa.center.
- “Fiqh of the Muslim Merchant,” by Husam al-Din Muhammad ibn Afanah.
- “Characteristics of the Honest Muslim Merchant,” islamqa.info.
- “The Ethics and Characteristics of the Muslim Merchant,” Islamic Sciences College at Diyala University.
