THE VIRTUES OF TRADE AND BUSINESS pdf download

The Virtues of Trade and Business Maulana Muhammad Zakanyya Kandhlawi (Kah.) translated by Maulana Yusuf Karaan

THE VIRTUES OF TRADE AND BUSINESS

Book Contents

• Translator’s Foreword vii
• Chapter 1. Halaal Earnings 1
• Chapter 2. Virtues of Earning 21
• Chapter 3. Employment in the Service of Deen (Faith) 52
• Chapter 4. Tijaarat (Business) 64

Halaal earnings

It is reported in a Hadeeth that the acquisition of halaal earnings is a duty upon the Muslims, which is only secondary to the other fundamental principles of Islam like salaah, zakaah etc. In other words, although it is a Muslim’ s duty to acquire halaal (pure and clean) earnings, this duty is not of exactly the same status as the other encumbent duties, such as the five pillars. This obligation is for those who are in need of earnings for their daily necessities, whether those necessities are to satisfy the requirements of oneself or, for the needs of one’s dependents.

However, it isnot an obligation on those persons who are in possession of sufficient provisions e.g. the landowner, or that person who has other sources of income.

The reason for this is that Allah has created wealth for the sole purpose of fulfilling needs so that one can be free to spend time in the worship of Allah. Without proper food and drink, one will not be able to perform ibadah.

Hence we may say that the acquisition of wealth is not a goal in itself, but a means towards a goal.

From the foregoing, it appears that when a person has the necessary wherewithal for a decent existence, it is not commendable at all to search for further wealth or seek to increase one’s possessions out of pure greed.