Run a Business Islamically: Key Sunnas 2

Running a business in accordance with Islamic principles is a fundamental concern for Muslims in the modern world. This is the eighth in a series of articles from Running a Business Islamically.

Allah says:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ 

“Verily Allah commands being wholly fair and just” [Quran, 16:90; tr. Keller, Quran Beheld]

Being just is fulfilling rights. Fulfilling the rights of Allah and the rights of others. Excellence is to do things in the best of ways. Among the core elements of excellence is to be true in word and to never lie. Speak the truth, even if it is bitter. 

If a customer comes and asks, “Is this the best service that I could take?” Do not say, yes, it is because it is not. You do not have to shame yourself. But you can say, “This is what we have to offer, and these are the features of our service.” 

Commit to Excellence

The believer can have any traits of character except for lying and deception. Whoever cheats is not of us, said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). 

Part of excellence is that even in difficult situations, the believer does not lie. One is true and trustworthy. Never make a commitment or a promise except with the confidence and commitment to fulfill it. If you cannot fulfill it, do not say you can because it is both lying and deception.

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no faith for one who cannot be trusted. There is no religion for one who cannot uphold a covenant.”

This may sound foreign to many people. There are a lot of absolutely unacceptable practices so we are careful in the commitments we make, promises we make, undertakings that we have, deadlines we give, et cetera. That is from excellence. 

Having Sincere Concern

You have a right to seek your good but the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “None of you believes until they wish for others of the good that they wish for themselves.”

Wishing good is not just wishful thinking. Wishing good is that you genuinely care for the good of others. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Religion is sincere concern.” You care for the good of others so you seek your good, but also you operate with concern for the good of the other party. 

“The Messenger of Allah said: The two parties to a transaction have the choice so long as they have not separated. If they are honest and open, their transaction will be blessed, but if they tell lies and conceal anything, the blessing of their transaction will be lost.”

Having sincere concern for others does not mean putting oneself down. One is smart but cares for the good of others. That is also the benefit of keeping the company of those who are God-fearing traders.

One does this for the sake of Allah because this is what is pleasing to Allah. If people know that you have good customer service and you care then they will want to deal with you. It builds trust, but do so with the right intention. 

Uphold Good Character in all Dealings.

Uphold good character especially when tested. Respond in good ways. That does not mean to be a doormat, but even if you have to be firm, you are firm with good character. That is very difficult.

It is truly of the noblest of matters to remain patient and easygoing. Upholding good character is one of the keys of working in the marketplace. That is how one is an ambassador of our religion as well. People became Muslim because of the good character of the traders that worked with them. 

Part of good character is that one acts in a manner that will be pleasing to Allah. That is good character. That is the prophetic character. 

Remain Devoted 

Remember Allah during work and remain devoted. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.” 

Most of the thinking that we do is useless. People overthink and under-plan. Most people do not plan enough and think way too much. Worry is blameworthy. This is thinking about things without clear outcomes, without the thinking being purposeful and outcome-oriented. For example, if a client is coming and one starts to think, “I wonder how they are going to respond. I do not know how my presentation will work out.” Is any of this thinking meaningful? No. If there is something to do then be better prepared for that. 

There is a difference between worry and concern. Concern is purposeful thinking connected with a plan, seeking desirable outcomes. A lot of times, people sit thinking about useless things such as, “I wonder whether they speak Urdu.” Wondering about it will not teach them Urdu or shield you from having to use your Urdu if you have poor Urdu. Or if someone thinks, “I wonder how their office is.” Well, once you get there, you will see it. 

If you actually pause someone and say, “What are you thinking about right now?” Most of it is useless. Most news is pointless, it does not enable you to understand what is going on. Rather, during work, edit your thinking. Do not just let your mind stray into useless thoughts, even about work. The idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

Incomparable Wage

Rather, keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah. There are times when you require full attention and focus on something, so your full attention and focus are there. Before you do it, you make a high intention, and you ask Allah for assistance with supplication. 

Nothing is preventing you from remembering Allah while doing other things. Our mother Aisha describes the beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), “The Messenger of Allah would be in remembrance of Allah in all his states.” 

Allah says:

وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةًۭ وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

“And most nobly men and women who remember Allah much: Allah has prepared for all of them a mighty forgiveness and incomparable wage.” [Quran, 33:35; tr. Keller, Quran Beheld]

Supplicate for all your worldly affairs. This is one of the ways to have a living relationship with Allah in your work. You are about to sign a contract, turn to Allah, it is a moment of concern. There are all kinds of silly things people do before such as wondering, “Where he bought that pen from? How come we’re using plastic pens and not good pens?” These are useless thoughts. 

Before anything of significance, turn to Allah. One of the ways to turn to Allah is to supplicate before it and prioritize prayer and your religious duties. Don’t just fit it in. Anyone successful in anything plans. They are purposeful in how they use their time. Plan your worship and devotion to Allah at least as well as you plan your work and personal life. Give your prayer its due. 

Taking all sorts of random breaks at work and wasting your time during them but then saying you cannot pray your Sunna prayers because you are busy at work is kidding yourself.