What is the Islamic position on business and getting people to buy things?
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Question
I pray you are in the best of health and Imaan inshaAllah and pray that Allah SWT rewards you all Abundantly in this life and the next for your sincere, much appreaciated efforts in guiding the Ummah. Jazakum AllahuKhayrun.
I am thinking of starting my own business inshaAllah. I would like to sell hijaabs and other items such as Clothes, handicrafts etc. Is it persmissable for me to do this since I am encouraging people to spend more money when our beloved Nabi SA said something along the lines of "live in life as if you are a traveller" and that to be in poverty is to be in a likened state. Should I be encouraging people to spend more of their wealth on material goods?
The main reason I want to set up this business is because my family is in quite difficult financial position, my parents are old and still working and I see this opportunity as a fairly quick way to remove all our debt and allow them to stop working inshaAllah. My father has agreed to this business decision and is prepared to help but my mother doesnt like it because she thinks I am too young and because I am still studying.
Is it allowed for me to go ahead with this idea if my mother isnt completly pleased with it even though I am doing it to make things easier for her and my father?
Answer
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray that this finds you well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good and success in this life and the next.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) himself and his noble Companions and Family (Allah be pleased with him them) engaged in trade. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to seek a halal living, and his guidance makes it clear that business and trade--when according to the Shariah--is one of the best of means of earning a living.
The basis of the permissibility of trade are the words of Allah Most High, "Allah has made trade permissible and has prohibited usury." [Qur'an, Surat al-Baqara: 275]
With that, Allah tells us, "Seek, amidst that which God has given thee, the Last Abode, and forget not thy portion of the present world; and do good, as God has been good to thee." [Qur'an, Surat al-Qasas: 77]
Thus, our primary goal is, indeed, benefit in the next life, but we also pursue good in this life. After all, Allah mentions the prayer of true believers as being, "'Our Lord, give to us in this world good, and good in the world to come, and guard us against the chastisement of the fire." [Qur'an, Surat al-Baqara: 201]
In your case, your intention of assisting your parents is a very noble one, too, masha'Allah.
However, before engaging in trade or business, it is one's duty to learn how to do so in accordance with the guidance of the Qur'an and Sunna. As such, I would recommend the Money Matters course offered by the SunniPath Academy--or similar courses elsewhere.
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani
This answer was published by SunniPath and is preserved as written. Rulings can depend on circumstances; for your own situation, consult a qualified scholar.
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