Do not make your trade unprofitable
After looking through some memorable dates in May, I saw Fair Trade Day, and for some reason I remembered the wild 1990s, when everyone stood in long lines for groceries.
We lived in Stavropol back then and on a trip to the market, I brought home eighteen eggs instead of twenty, along with some underweight fruits and vegetables. And I was not the only one who was “misled” in sales. It is both funny and sad...
These days, electronic scales and many other gadgets have come to the aid of traders and customers. But can deception really only be hidden in weight? As the saying goes, be careful! You can be deceived when buying real estate, valuables, cars and electronics. What can we say about expensive goods, when even simple clothing and electronics need to be thoroughly inspected for defects and much more? Some factories and plants add various additives to reduce production costs, which are harmful to the human body. Here, it might be advisable to read the ingredients more carefully (using the proverbial magnifying glass).
One day, the Messenger of God ﷺ reached into a sack of grain to check the wheat he was about to purchase. However, the grain in the sack was damp. When the Prophet ﷺ asked why, the seller replied that the wheat had become wet due to rain. The Prophet ﷺ then asked, “Why do not you put the wheat in with the wet side up?” He then added, “Whoever deceives us is not one of us.” (Narrated by Muslim). Another hadith states, “If a person sells something while concealing its defects, he will be under the wrath of Almighty Allah, and the angels will constantly curse him.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah).
The Holy Koran states (interpretation of the meaning): “Woe to those who cheat with unfairness. Those who buy from others and demand the full amount, but when they measure or weigh for others, cause them loss. Do they not know that they will be resurrected on the Great Day and will have to account for all their deeds?” (Sura Al-Mutaffifin, ayat 1-5).
When describing a product, one may speak of its merits, but it is unacceptable (haram) to overdo this by attributing non-existent qualities to it. False oaths are especially condemned. A hadith states, “A false oath may help a product sell but it deprives it of its blessing (barakat).” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The intentions of a person engaged in trade or other work must be sincere and good, especially when the well-being of their family is at stake. A trader’s intention must be focused on fulfilling the collective obligation (fard al-kifaya) prescribed by Almighty Allah. If all people abandoned trade, it would lead to the destruction of society.
Today, trading in markets and stores has become very popular. Therefore, every seller and every buyer must be aware of the fundamental aspects and conditions of this activity. Do not make your trade unprofitable for the next world! A person engaged in trade without learning its fundamentals risks falling into sin and, without realizing it, may commit forbidden acts (haram) and engage in usury (riba).
In the modern world, the issue of fair trade is becoming increasingly relevant. This phenomenon not only encompasses the relationship between producers and consumers but also touches on issues of social justice, sustainability and consumer ethics.
May God help us adhere to ethical rules of trade! Amin.
