The Business of this World and the Hereafter

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

'And when the Prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may prosper.'

(Surat al-Jumo’a: 10)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2014.

Seeking worldly sustenance and profit according to the norms and laws of Shari’at also garners sawaab for the afterlife. The sawaab for seeking a Halaal livelihood is equated with going for jihaad fi Sabilillah. Throughout the ages, as the systems of trade and business have changed, A’immat Tahereen, and in their seclusion, Du’aat Mutlaqeen, have guided Mumineen as to how to do profitable trade. They have shown mumineen how to conduct their affairs within the laws of Shar’iat in a Halaal manner. Following the tradition of A’immat Tahereen and Du’aat Mutlaqeen, Syedna Qutbuddin TUS is guiding mumineen in spiritual as well as temporal matters; specifically as to how to conduct their temporal matters in line with the laws of Shari’at and the irshaadaat of our Imams. In his Risalat Sharifa Ashi’atul Fayzil Azali, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA quotes numerous verses from the Quran – including the one quoted at the beginning of this Sijill – as well as Hadith and Akaaleem by A’immat Tahereen about the virtue of seeking Rizq – rozi – or sustenance and livelihood. Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA states:

“I say – it is incumbent upon Mumineen to plan and prepare well for their businesses and livelihoods as per the nature of business in their times. This is a sign of good judgment and balance. Their businesses are supported by the establishment of social cooperatives (and organisations). And their businesses should target/involve the end products and the raw material. I have encouraged my children to engage in profitable businesses. And to facilitate for their Mumineen brothers prospects for better and more successful ventures. They must also not forget that business and trade that will save them from severe azaab and secure for them a great reward. [The Quran says] ‘O those who believe, shall I lead you to a trade/business that will save you from a sever azaab? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allah, with your property and your persons, that is best for you, if you but knew. He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to jannat beneath which Rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in everlasting jannat: that is indeed the Supreme Achievement’ (Surat al-Saff: 10-12). I [Syedna Taher Saifuddin] have composed abyaat explaining the pearls of meaning in these verses:

من يتجر بتجارة مندوية

في الذكر يريح دائما لم يخسر

لا تتجر الا حلالا طيبا

لا تختدع لا تحتكر لا تَقمَ

يا أيها الانسان فانهض واجتهد

وانشط بها للمَتجرين وشمرَّ

'He who trades in a business that is sanctioned in the Quran,

He will always profit and never suffer a loss.

Do not engage in any trade/business except that which is Halaal and pure.

Do not deceive. Do not monopolize. Do not gamble.

O Insaan, stand/get up, make an effort/endeavor,

With vigor and verve for the trade of this world and the Hereafter.'

And in another Qasida I have composed a bayt that is worthy of quoting here:

وندبتهم لتجارة تنجيهم

ولمتجر الدنيا معا والمكسب

'And I encourage them towards a trade that will give them salvation.

And I encouraged them for a trade in this world and profit.'

(Ashi’aatul Fayzil Azali 1376H – pp. 231-233) In this spirit, we are pleased to inaugurate the Trade & Finance Series with an audio of sabaq by Shz Taher bhaisaheb in which he explains the practical spirt of Shari’at and guidance given by the Imams and Du’aat, specifically in the context of today’s financial institutions. This guidance ensures that Mumineen are able conduct their business in changing times without transgressing against the laws of Shari’at. This series will continue and will also include excerpts from the PhD Thesis written by Shz. Dr. Abdeali bhaisaheb on the Principles of Finance in Fatimid-Tayyibi Law as they apply to present day financial practices. This research was conducted with the raza of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA and will be published with the raza of his True successor, Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin TUS.