trade in the light of sharꜤī principles. Let us analyse in the light of a hadith that what are the rules of trade in the sight of Islam, and what traits should a successful trader possess.

How should a Trader Be?

Sayyiduna MuꜤādh bin Jabal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ reports that the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:

Indeed, the purest income is that of a trader who does not lie when he speaks. When an entrustment is kept with him, he is not dishonest. When he makes a promise, he does not break it. When he purchases something, he does not point out its faults. When he makes a sale, he does not excessively praise the product. When there are a few dues of someone upon him, he is not lazy in paying it back. When someone else owes him dues, he is not strict in reclaiming it.^[1]

Remember! Regardless of whether it is trade or other matters, lying and deceit are grave sins and a major dishonesty. Sayyiduna Sufyān bin Asīd Haḍramī رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ reports that he heard the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم say: “It is great treachery that you tell your brother something, and he considers you to be truthful, while you are lying to him.”^[2]

Likewise, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:

For as long as the buyer and seller have not reached an agreement, they have a choice. If they mention and speak the truth whilst making an agreement, there will be blessings in their deal. If they lie and deceive, they may make some profit, but will