Islamic Business (Part 2)

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

From the Discourses of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb 

(Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh)

To do business is not Haraam. In fact it is very virtuous. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: “To earn a Halaal (lawful) livelihood is compulsory after the completion of other Faraa'idh (obligatory duties).”

In another Hadith, Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “Glad tidings (of Jannah) are for that person whose income is pure (Halaal), his interior and exterior is good and he does not cause any harm to people. Glad tidings (of Jannah) are for that person who practices on his knowledge, spends his excess wealth (on the needy) and does not engage in useless talk.”^[1]

So earning a Halaal livelihood is 100% Deen …but certainly not the way we are doing it at present. …What are we really chasing after?  Our Rizq (sustenance) is Muqaddar (predestined) and it is chasing after us. Allah Ta’ala wants to give it to us easily but we want it the hard way; so it comes like that.  …And if a person falls into the traps of Haraam and into unlawful and deceptive dealings, the Barakah is all lost and problems prevail.

EMPLOYEES

Nowadays, we work seven days a week, from 7 to 7. If we don’t work like this, then we sometimes make our staff slog in this manner. We have no mercy, no sympathy and no compassion for them – no thought that they have families – parents, wife and children – and they need to spend some quality time with their families, that they too are human and need some rest.

We like to spend time with our families on week-ends. We take a rest and even go on holidays. But when it comes to our staff, then sadly we do not like the same for them. Even if they are sick, they are forced to come to work because we do not allow them sick leave or we will cut their pay. Such injustices and grievances are brought to our attention time and again. …This is due to the greed we have. This is the result of Hubbud-Dunya. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “The love of the world is the root of all evil.”^[2]

The Hadith Shareef mentions clearly: “Whoever has faith in Allah and the Last Day, then let him meet his end while he treats people the way he would love to be treated.”^[3]

In another Hadith, Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.”^[4]

Even if you open 24/7 – 365 days a year, only what is destined for you, will reach you. It will not be anything more! It will not be a single cent more than what Allah Ta’ala has already decreed. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding because we have lost all perspective of the Aakhirah (Hereafter) in our pursuit for Dunya. It is an obsession. In the process, we make Zulm on our employees. Often it is the curses of the Mazloom that sometimes tears our lives apart, because Allah Ta’ala promises to assist the oppressed.

In addition to giving other advice, Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam would caution his Companions who were deputed as governors: “Fear the pleading prayer of a wronged one (Mazloom), for there is no veil between it and Allah.”

There is a proverb: “Beware of the sigh of the oppressed when they pray; Divine acceptance readily greets them.”

SUKOON AND BARAKAH

Change the pattern of work. Work in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala and you, yourself, will see how much of Sukoon (tranquility) and Barakah (blessings) you will experience. All the stress, anxiety and depression will disappear. At present, we ourselves are suppressing and oppressing our souls. The physical body has got a soul. The soul wants to rise and wants to connect with Allah Ta’ala and become a true lover of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. We are suppressing and oppressing that soul. When there is suppression and oppression of the soul, depression will then follow.

All the money of Dunya cannot buy the happiness and peace of the heart and soul. When we give the soul its sustenance and nourishment, which is Taqwa^[5], then Allah Ta’ala gives Sukoon.  Even in the midst of problems, we will still have Sukoon – like a rose blooming amidst thorns. Then there will be no evidence needed to see the Sukoon in the person’s life.

LEARN BUSINESS THE ISLAMIC WAY

Hazrat ‘Umar رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُ would not allow a person to engage in any business or trade until he had learnt the rules and regulations which governs business in Islam. Learn the Islamic way of doing trade and business. Make the business Shari’ah compliant.

Look at how the Sahaba-e-Kiraam رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ did business. It was neither a diversion from Allah Ta’ala nor from Deen. Their Tijarah was Ibaadah. Their business and trade brought so much of Barakah. As an example: Hazrat AbdurRahman Ibn Auf رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُ, who is also one of the Asharah Mubasharah^[6], would say, in explaining how successful Allah Ta’ala had made him: “If I lift a stone, I find gold and silver beneath it!"

They did not pursue the Dunya. No. They pursued the Aakhirah and sought the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala in everything they did. So Allah Ta’ala made their sustenance extremely easy and blessed them in their earnings, because their business and trade was in accordance to the demands of Shari’ah.

In any effort to earn Dunya, Deen should never be considered as secondary, or be given the back seat – so to say. Deen should always take precedence and be our main concern. Our work and activities of Dunya must conform to Deen and Shari’ah. Deen is the nucleus, or the heart and soul of our lives.

May Allah Ta’ala inspire our hearts in His Obedience, grant us the understanding of the reality of this worldly life and the realization that we need to pursue the Aakhirah instead of the Dunya – since it is the Aakhirah that is everlasting while the Dunya will be left behind very soon. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of Amal.

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[1] Tabraani

[2] Mishkaat

[3] Al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 10370

[4] Bukhari & Muslim

[5] Taqwa: Piety / abstinence and restraint from that which is Haraam (forbidden).

[6] The ten (famous) Companions of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, who were given the glad tidings of Paradise in one sitting.

Islamic Business (Part 1) | A First Hand Experience In Running A Business

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

A PAGE FROM THE LIFE OF HAZRAT MAULANA YUNUS PATEL SAHEB (RAHMATULLAHI ‘ALAYH)

IT WAS AROUND 1971, when my late father-in-law went for Hajj. He was away for four months. In that time I managed his business. Although I had absolutely no experience about business, with the Fadhl (grace) of Allah Ta’ala, I ran the business, during those four months, in a manner that not only benefited my father-in-law, but which became an example for the people of the town also. Alhamdulillah.

The daily routine that was adopted, the set up in the business and the manner of interaction with customers is being outlined and shared, as a lesson. Insha-Allah, that experience will be a means of people, especially businessmen, channelling their efforts towards prioritising Deen over Dunya and giving preference to earning the Aakhirah (Hereafter) over the chase for money and material commodities. The love for Dunya and attaching one’s heart to it inevitably brings destruction to a person’s Deen. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: “Two hungry wolves let loose on a flock of sheep cannot cause as much destruction to the flock as the damage that one’s greed for wealth and fame can inflict upon one’s Deen.”

The timetable, whilst running the business, was as follows:

After the Fajr Salaah it was my practice to recite Yaseen Shareef and other Azkaar. Thereafter I would proceed to the shop. I used to open the shop at around 8:30 a.m.

BUSINESS AND SALAAH

There is no doubt that during business hours, there is a demand for hard work. You have to buy, sell and keep up with everything else related to the business. You cannot just let things be and expect a business to prosper. For those few hours, you have to make the effort and work hard. However, if the Zuhr Azaan was at 1 p.m., then from 12:30 p.m.we started arranging for the customers to leave the shop, so that by 12:45 or 12:50 the last customers could leave and we could be in the Masjid before the Azaan. Alhamdulillah, the same procedure was adopted for Asr Salaah.

After the Zuhr Salaah, I would go home for lunch, and then return to the shop to continue with business.

On a Friday, I used to travel from Richmond to Pietermaritzburg or Ixopo (approx. 50km) for Jumu’ah. The shop remained closed until my return. Alhamdulillah, this is how we managed and operated the business in those months.

On Saturdays, it was extremely busy in that small town. All the buses and cars, transporting hundreds of people, would stop just outside the shops. The people would just go on buying and buying.  Because of my routine with regard to closing for Zuhr Salaah, some of the town’s people commented: “Now we will see what happens. All the shops remain open during Zuhr time on Saturdays – not one closes in this busy time.”

However, I kept up to my routine. I finished off between 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. and went to the Masjid. Alhamdulillah, when I came back from Salaah, the customers were there, waiting. Alhamdulillah, this set an example for others to also close for Zuhr on a busy day as well.

I have mentioned previously that the non-Muslims also run businesses – and big businesses. They have clear notices at their entrances detailing their business hours and times for the entire week, such as Monday to Friday, Saturday, Sunday, public holidays, etc. Anyone who wants to purchase anything from these stores knows and understands that they will have to get there in those hours only. The customers work around their own activities and responsibilities, and they get there in time, to buy whatever they want to. So … why can we not have our Salaah times also detailed on our notices? Why can we not close for Salaah? Why do we distrust the promise of Allah Ta’ala? If someone wants to purchase something, he will know the hours of business and will come in those hours. This personal experience that I am relating to you proves this.

BUSINESS AND CUSTOMERS

As for the items that were being sold; if there was something in the shop, which in my opinion was not proper to sell, I gave it away or sold it under the cost price. If it was more doubtful than Halaal, then I just gave it away. There were customers who would buy bread, milk, sugar, and other necessities. Some of them were extremely poor. They would tell me what they wanted. However, when they opened their purses, I could see that they did not have enough money. They used to count the coins they had and sometimes they would have to leave out some items due to insufficient money. It was obvious that the person was a very poor person. One could clearly see their poverty. Some would also mention their plight: they were struggling to make ends meet, they had no job and had three or four children to take care of, etc. Their destitution and need was evident. …In this way, I got to know about their lives and the hardships some of them faced. 

So I would ask: “How much do you have?”

If the person had R10 – and in that time R10 was a lot of money – I would then look at the total cost for the groceries that had been taken. If it was, for example, R12, I would say: “Take the whole thing and keep your R10 too.”

Upon hearing this, often that old lady or old man would actually start jumping around to express their happiness and appreciation. They would then go and bring more customers and come again. Obviously the situation nowadays is different. I am not saying that you should just give away everything to everyone. What will be left of the business? However, there are still many genuinely poor people. As Muslims, we should show mercy, compassion and leniency towards them. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam gave Dua to such a person: “May Allah have mercy on a man who is lenient when selling, buying, and seeking repayment.”

When my father-in-law returned, the neighbour said to him: “Your son-in-law must have run you bankrupt because the shop was more closed than opened!”

I told my father-in-law: “Don’t worry. Have a rest first, for two or three days.”

When I gave him the books and the money, there was a 25% to 30% increase in business. He even asked in surprise:“How did that happen?” 

Alhamdulillah, at least I can say from the Mimbar that it is not just something theoretical. It is something that was practical and it was experienced while being ‘hands-on’ in running a business. People say: “What do the Aalims know about business! They always talk theory. Do this, do that, don’t do this, don’t do that…” Here was a 30% increase in business, in lesser time, and with the Salaah performed on time in the Masjid. Alhamdulillah, there was no lying, no stealing, no cheating and no deceiving anybody. …The staff used to repeatedly say: “We wish you stay in this business full time.”

Alhamdulillah, I make Shukr to Allah Ta’ala for these incidents – since it offered some inspiration and incentive to the businessmen there.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the Taufeeq of doing business in a manner which is most pleasing to Him, and which will be a means of great reward and goodness in this world and the hereafter.

Taking Zakaah beyond Ramadaan

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi Alayh)

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

ALHAMDULILLAH, WE FIND that with the commencement of Ramadaan, thousands of Muslims begin to contribute to different noble causes – whether these are specific for Ramadaan, such as providing Iftaar, Sehri or hampers for the poor, or whether in respect to the general efforts made to alleviate the plight of those who are suffering in different parts of the world. …So monies begin to pour in by way of Zakaah, Sadaqah and Lillah – Alhamdulillah. May Allah Ta’ala accept the different contributions.

  

There is, however, one shortfall when it comes to the payment of Zakaah, and that is, that the majority choose to give their Zakaah in the month of Ramadaan, thinking that they are getting a greater reward giving in Ramadaan, whereas for many, their Zakaah was sometimes due months before. This deliberate delay in payment of Zakaah makes the person a faasiq (an open transgressor). …Even though one is paying later and that too, in the blessed month of Ramadaan, one reaches Ramadaan and one enters Ramadaan, as a sinner. Allah Ta’ala save us and forgive us.

The setback to this pattern and tendency is that we have an overwhelming amount of Zakaah and charity paid out in the month of Ramadaan. And since Zakaah is something which needs to be distributed and discharged  as soon as possible, we find that for the next 11 months, many organisations do not have such funds to continue their assistance to the poor and needy – because of the imbalance created.

If everyone paid his or her Zakaah timeously, when it is due – whether Muharram, Safar, Rabiul Awwal, Rajab, instead of all being given out in the month of Ramadaan – then some equilibrium would be established in the discharge of Zakaah and in the assistance rendered to the poor and needy for the remaining year.

Moreover, this payment of Zakaah in its correct time, should not thereafter make the giver negligent in spending in other avenues at other times. We should increase our generosity in the month of Ramadaan and also spend whenever and wherever there may be a call for assistance – and that spending should be from our wealth. …Because Zakaah is not our wealth. It does not belong to us, that we can keep and use as we wish. It rightfully belongs to the poor. It is their wealth. So we should be giving from our own wealth, over and above the Zakaah.

Furthermore, when giving Zakaah or Sadaqah, then it is very important to keep in mind, the dignity of the recipient and to give with respect and consideration.

Many people consider that they are doing a favour to the poor and needy when giving charity, and they do so in a manner which demeans and debases the poor and needy.

Let us understand this point: We are in need of them. The reality is that we are the needy ones, for if there were no poor, needy and destitute people in the world, to whom would we give our Zakaah and discharge that due? To whom would we give our Sadaqaat and draw rewards?

Moreover, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) described the poor as ‘very rich people’ and directed us to keep contact with them and spend on them because on the Day of Judgment they will be told to lead every such person who favoured them, into Jannah.

Other Ahaadeeth describe how, in the Hereafter, the poor will be the ones who will come to the assistance of those who did them a good turn in the worldly life. The poor will thus become the means of najaat (salvation) for many who may have been very wealthy in this worldly life. They may even be the ones who will hold our hands and take us with them into Jannah.

Thus, we need to be conscious and mindful of the dignity and self-respect of the poor. They too have a right to respect.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us this understanding, grant us the Taufeeq to practice accordingly, grant us sincerity in our spending and accept our Zakaah, Sadaqaat and other humble efforts to please Him.

Dua at the approach of Ramadhaan

Bismihi Ta'ala

Alternatives

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 

AS HUMAN BEINGS, WE KEEP OURSELVES OCCUPIED in something or the other. Our work or whatever activity we are involved in is either good or bad.

If it is bad, then it has to be given up. Sins must be given up. Sometimes a person wants to give up his sins, but complains that he will then have nothing to do. The solution is to replace the bad with the good. He has to have some alternative or substitute – to take the place of sin. But this substitute must be beneficial and virtuous. It must not be futile and useless.

There was an incident of a thief, who used to steal the shoes of the Musallees whilst they were engaged in Salaah, in the Masjid. Allah Ta’ala destined Hidayah (guidance) for him and subsequently he met a pious Shaykh, a Wali of Allah Ta’ala. The thief made sincere Taubah from his sins and even took Bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) at the hand of the Wali.

Although he quit his habit of stealing completely, the habit to still do something had become ingrained and strong in him. Instead of stealing, he would merely mix up the shoes of the Musallees.

Naturally, this angered the Musallees, since it inconvenienced them and delayed their work. On investigation, they found out who was responsible and informed the Shaykh.

The Shaykh, after meeting with the Mureed, who had repented from stealing, questioned him regarding his strange behavior and his causing difficulty to others. The person very honestly told his Shaykh that he had sincerely repented from the sin of stealing but he just had to do something, so he mixed the shoes every time the Musallees came to the Masjid for Salaah. …After a few days, with the Fadhl of Allah Ta’ala and the Duas of the Shaykh, he got out of that habit as well.

If a person does not occupy himself, then as we know: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop!” Do not let shaytaan enjoy rent-free accommodation in your mind! Do not allow shaytaan any access into your heart!

If a person does not keep himself occupied in good deeds, he is likely to get occupied in bad deeds.

Prior to accepting Islam, during the days of Jahiliyyah (ignorance), the Sahaba-e-Kiraam رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ were involved in all kinds of sinful actions – wine, women, war, singing girls and other Haraam was the order of the day. However, on entering the fold of Islam, all of these vices were replaced with virtues. For example: Music, singing girls and other Haraam entertainment were replaced with the beautiful, enjoyable recitation of the Qur’aan Shareef, Tahajjud Salaah and spending the night communicating with their Beloved Allah Ta’ala. Jihaad was no longer against just anyone and everyone; it was against the nafs, primarily.

In practising on the teachings of Islam and following the noble Sunnah, there is no scope for boredom. The person who tastes the sweetness of Qur’aan Shareef, Zikrullah, Durood Shareef, Dua and Salaah will never be bored.

We take the lesson that sins should be replaced with good and rewarding alternatives, or permissible and lawful substitutes.

Alhamdulillah, in our times, there is so much to keep occupied with. Our ‘Ulama-e-Haq and Mashaa`ikh have many programmes, which, if we attend, we can maintain our Istiqaamah (steadfastness) on Deen. In fact, we should attend these programmes regularly. It will be a means of spiritual nourishment and spiritual health and a fortification against sins. If attending the programmes is not always possible, the same can be audio-streamed, downloaded, etc. The books of our ‘Ulama and Mashaa’ikh are also available whereby we can take benefit and inspiration.

Alhamdulillah, the work of Tabligh, the effort of the Khanqahs, the effort to acquire the knowledge of Deen, the undertakings made to assist the poor, needy and others, etc. have been a means of great goodness and productivity for many – who then channel their energies and time in serving Deen, going out in the path of Allah Ta’ala, benefitting others, becoming involved in relief work – within the parameters of Deen, and fulfilling the true objective of this worldly life.

In fact, the effort of Islaah (reformation) should keep us well-occupied. Hazrat Sufyaan Thauri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had said: “Rectifying yourself is an endeavour that should keep you very busy.”

Islam is not only about sitting on the Musallah the entire day and night, or just attending programmes all the time. There is a perfectly healthy balance that Deen offers us. Since Allah Ta’ala knows all our needs, He has presented us with the Sunnah, which is fully wholesome and practical, and which preserves the heart, soul, mind and body. We find beautiful guidance in every aspect of life. Since we deprive the nafs of Haraam, we do not have to deprive it of Halaal.

Together with making the effort in good deeds, serving the creation and also seeking to serve this beautiful Deen, we are allowed some recreation and leisurely activities – which will benefit us physically. In fact, if the right intentions are made, these activities will become greatly rewarding.

We are directed towards activities such as swimming, archery and horse-riding. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Any action without the remembrance of Allah is either a diversion or heedlessness excepting four acts: Walking from target to target (during archery practice), training a horse, playing with one's family, and learning to swim.” [1]

Hazrat ‘Umar رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُ had also advised: “Teach your children swimming, archery and horse riding.”

Of course, this should not be taken out of context or used to justify Haraam. The Ahadīth encourage these activities, but within the limits and boundaries of Deen and Shari’ah. There is no allowance for immodest dressing, intermingling with the opposite gender or attending sports matches at stadiums where there will be indulgence in all kinds of Haraam. This is obviously not permissible – and for good reason:  To protect us from sins.

We should similarly abstain from useless and futile pursuits. Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had said that if a person reflects on his futile acts and statements, he will most assuredly discover that they ultimately lead to sin because there is no futile and nonsensical act whose boundary is not adjoining the boundary of sin.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of practising on Deen correctly, of keeping occupied in good deeds, and seeking Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasure at all times.

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[1] Tabarani