Wednesday 13 February 2008

The Quranic Principles on Dealings



Course:Living Islam [Hanafi]

Teacher:Sheikh Faraz Rabbani

Lesson 7b: Work, Money and Earning a Living



The Quranic Principle on Dealings:

“Do not consume each others` wealth in wrongful ways. Rather , let it be through transactions based on mutual agreement..”[Qur`an, 4.29]

Mutual agreement is the key.

Means are important. Wrongful means must be avoided.

Remember that , “Law is only needed in the absence of love. But in the absence of love , law is a sure means to return love.”

The longest verse in the Qur`an towards the end of Surah Bakarah was revealed about writing down contracts.

Key Principles:

1.Fulfill all contracts and undertakings.

2.Have contacts , especially with friends and family.

“Be friends, but transact [with excellence] as if strangers.”

3.Make clear, sound contracts.


Define:


What is being sold/provided
Relevant details
Price
When payment is due
Other pending considerations


4.Write things down.


Recommended ,especially when financially consequential or when pending considerations[eg.payments, instalments etc].


5.Don`t make assumptions.


Clarify , define, and write down.


6.State the obvious when it may not be so obvious.


Legal consequences [damages , lost in shipping , refunds, bindingness, cancellation..] when disagreement could arise.


7.Define how dispute or disagreement will be resolved.


[Look at where could we end up disagreeing and define those things.]


Means of mutual resolution, committing to qualifies arbitration, court ,limits..


[Decide which school or madhab you will follow in case of a disagreement.]


8.Don`t make a sale or begin a service until there is a contract [even if only a clear verbal one] with definition and clarity related to the main detail.


[If you don`t agree on the key terms the contract is corrupt and is sinful.]


9.Avoid unusual contractual conditions.


[Keep the contract clear and simple.]


10 i)Ask when unsure- don`t just assume.

The Prophet [Allah bless him and give him peace] said,"Whoever avoids unclear matters safeguards their religion and their honour; and whoever falls into the unclear falls into the unlawful..."


When you act without knowledge that whether it`s allowable or not, then it`s a given that you will invariably , sometimes at least, fall into the haram.


ii)Avoid everything prohibited.


The Prophet [Allah bless him and give him peace] said , “Whatever I have prohibited you avoid completely and whatever I have commanded you to do, do of it as much as you are able .”

Learn about them [riba, anything that could reasonably lead to dispute].


11.Act with excellence.


Follow the Sunna:

  • Be easy-going
  • Do more than required; demand less
  • Seek rights, in the right way
  • Say the good , do the good.


A key of conduct:


If you summarise what Islam is about on the worldly plain , it`s good character and conduct.


The Prophet [Allah bless him and give him peace] said, “I was only sent to perfect noble character and conduct.”

Recommended Reading : Be close, but transact as strangers.

Link :http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?id=14432&hd=7&cate=0&t=rss

1 comment:

Amina said...

very nice blog!