{"id":6544,"date":"2021-10-07T12:51:37","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T11:51:37","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2021-10-07T12:51:37","modified_gmt":"2021-10-07T11:51:37","slug":"financial-matters-in-islam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/6544\/financial-matters-in-islam\/","title":{"rendered":"Financial Matters in Islam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Financial Matters in Islam<\/strong><\/p>\n

Black Marketing<\/strong>
\nImam Jafar al-Sadiq (\u2018a) had a large family. Obviously, his domestic needs were also proportionately greater. He decided to invest some capital in trade, so he (\u2018a) called his serving man Musaddaf, and handing him 1000 dinars, told him to go to Egypt with tradable goods and sell them there. Musaddaf did as told, and joined a caravan of traders going to Egypt.
\nOn their way they met a group coming back from Egypt. They told them that the goods they were carrying to sell were in great demand there, and would fetch them a good price.
\nOn reaching Egypt they found the information they had received to be absolutely correct. They held a meeting and decided they would not sell their goods for less than double its price, a 100% profit. They pledged not to let each other down, and refused to supply the needs of their fellow Muslims in Egypt. They emerged successful and sold all they had with double the amount of capital they had invested in stocks.
\nOn his return, Musaddaf triumphantly placed two pouches of dinars before the Imam (\u2018a). The Imam (\u2018a) said, \u2018What is the meaning of these two?\u2019
\nHe replied, all smiles, \u2018One contains your capital, the other your profit. Both amounts are equal.\u2019
\n\u2018What?\u2019 said Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (\u2018a).
\n\u2018Yes, I mean it. We made a 100 % profit with your money.\u2019
\n\u2018What? You certainly need to explain.\u2019
\n\u2018Well, we learnt that the goods we had bought to trade in Egypt were direly needed by them, so we all joined hands to sell them for double the price. All of us remained united and the people became helpless and paid the amount for what they needed badly.\u2019
\n\u2018You mean you united together to black market your goods?\u2019 SubhanAllah! You black market your goods and expect me to enjoy its profit. I\u2019m afraid, I cannot accept such money.\u2019 He (\u2018a) then picked up one pouch of 1000 dinars and said,
\n\u2018This is my hard earned lawful money. Pick up the other pouch. I refuse to have anything to do with it.\u2019
\nHe then addressed his serving man thus, \u2018Musaddaf! It is much easier to wield the sword than earn lawful money. In other words, earning lawful money is much more difficult than wielding the sword.\u2019<\/p>\n

Dead Father\u2019s Debts<\/strong>
\n\u2018Mother, dear Mother!\u2019 The woeful cry of a young man was heard in the silence of the dark night.
\nA caravan was travelling from Medina to an outpost. The Holy Prophet (s), who always followed the caravan to keep an eye on the weak and feeble members on the journey, in case left behind, heard the voice. Reaching the spot, he (s) found this very anxious young man, standing atop his camel\u2019s back, wailing aloud for help.
\nThe Holy Prophet (s) asked him, \u2018What is your name?\u2019
\n\u2018Jaber ibn e Abdullah\u2019, he replied.
\n\u2018Why are you so afraid and anxious?\u2019
\n\u2018O Messenger of Allah! My camel is old and weak. It is exhausted and refuses to get up. I am afraid of being left behind, while the caravan is moving with such speed.\u2019
\n\u2018Do you have a rod?\u2019
\n\u2018Yes, here it is.\u2019
\nThe Holy Prophet (s) used the rod to help the camel stand. He (s) then made it sit down again. He (s) then told Jaber to seat himself on its back. Holding the bridle in his hand he (s) made the camel rise. After that the camel moved slowly but steadily. On the way, The Holy Prophet (s) conversed affectionately with him, begging forgiveness from Allah, for him, 35 times, Jaber counted.
\n\u2018How many brothers and sisters do you have?\u2019
\n\u2018I have seven sisters and am the only son.\u2019
\n\u2018Have you paid off your father\u2019s debts?\u2019
\n\u2018Not all. Some is still due.\u2019
\n\u2018Talk to the debtors on your return to Medina, and come to me during the date-picking season.\u2019
\n\u2018I will.\u2019
\n\u2018Are you married?\u2019
\n\u2018Yes.\u2019
\n\u2018Who did you marry?\u2019
\n\u2018I married a widow of Medina.\u2019
\n\u2018A young virgin would have been more suitable for one as young as you.\u2019
\n\u2018I have young, naive sisters. I thought a sensible, experienced woman would be more beneficial to the family than another na\u00efve young girl.\u2019
\n\u2018That was a very wise decision. How much did you pay for this camel?\u2019
\n\u2018Five gold coins.\u2019
\n\u2018I have the exact amount. Come and take its price from me in Medina.\u2019
\nThe journey ended and everyone got busy in the day\u2019s work. After some days they returned to Medina. Jaber brought his camel to hand it over to the Holy Prophet (s).
\nOn seeing him The Holy Prophet (s) called out to Bilal and said, \u2018Give him 5 gold coins for the camel and 3 gold coins to pay his father Abdullah\u2019s debts. Return the camel to him for his use.\u2019
\nTurning to Jaber, he (s) asked, \u2018Have you spoken to your father\u2019s debtors?\u2019
\n\u2018Not yet.\u2019
\n\u2018Are the things left behind by your father not sufficient to pay off his debts?\u2019
\n\u2018No, I\u2019m afraid not.\u2019
\n\u2018Remind me during the date-picking season.\u2019
\nThe season soon arrived. The Holy Prophet (s) went with Jaber, paid off his father\u2019s debt, and gave him some extra money to fullfill his domestic responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Decide Wages before Hiring<\/strong>
\nOne day, Imam Reza (\u2018a) went with his friend Suleman ibn e Jafar for some work out of town. They returned at sunset and the Imam invited Suleman to stop over for the night. He accepted. As soon as they entered the exterior of the house, the Imam (\u2018a) saw all his serving men busy in the garden, planting, weeding, mowing and watering the flower- beds. The Imam (\u2018a) noticed a stranger working besides them.
\nHe called one of his workers and asked, \u2018Who is that person?\u2019
\nThe man replied, \u2018He is a person we hired for the day to finish all the work quickly.\u2019
\n\u2018Good. What wages did you hire him on?\u2019
\n\u2018We thought of paying him his due after the work was done.\u2019
\nThe Imam (\u2018a) suddenly looked very annoyed. Displeasure was written all over his face.
\nSulaiman felt he would severely punish his men. He came closer and asked,\u2019 What is it that has made you so depressed and angry?\u2019
\n\u2018Sulaiman, I have told these people time and again, to hire a person only after deciding the day\u2019s wages. It is unwise to hire a person without knowing what he would wish to earn at the end of the day\u2019s work. If the wages are decided, one can pay him a little more if he has worked well. That will please him and he will leave your place happy and grateful, and always be willing to work for you in future. You will both be pleased with each other. Even if paid what was decided at the beginning, he will be satisfied. However, if the wages are not mutually agreed upon, no matter what you give him, he will not be grateful at all, in fact, he is bound to feel he deserved more than he received.\u2019<\/p>\n

Services Offered to Tyrants<\/strong>
\nHaroon ur Rashid, the Abbasid ruler, was informed that Safwan Jamal had sold all his camels. The news upset him because he was preparing to go for Hajj and had hired many camels to carry the womenfolk and supplies. Safwan had also signed a contract to supply him with a certain number of camels. Haroon felt there was some special reason for this uncommon behaviour, because Safwan had offered this service to him for many years, and not once had he failed him.
\nHe sent for Safwan, and when he arrived, asked him, \u2018Is it true that you have sold all your camels?
\n\u2018Yes, O Leader of believers.\u2019
\n\u2018Why?\u2019
\n\u2018I\u2019m aging and find the job difficult. The children are also not interested in continuing the business. I realized the best solution lay in selling the beasts of burden.\u2019
\n\u2018Tell me the true reason behind your action.\u2019
\n\u2018I just told you.\u2019
\n\u2018I think I know who has prompted this action of yours. Musa al Kazim, on learning about our contract, has forbidden you to offer your services to me and sell your animals. This is the real reason behind your sudden decision.\u2019 His voice reflected his rage and he said, \u2018Had there been no previous relationship between us, I would have separated your head from your body this instant.\u2019
\nHaroon was right. He considered Safwan to be one of his close friends and allies and enjoyed a very pleasant relationship with him. But Safwan was a true believer and sincere follower of the Ahl al Bayt (\u2018a). One day, after signing the contract with Haroon, he came to visit Imam Musa e Kazim (\u2018a).
\nThe Imam (\u2018a) said, \u2018Safwan, with the exception of one action all your deeds are good.\u2019
\nSafwan eagerly asked, \u2018Ya ibne Rasool Allah, and what is that one act?\u2019
\n\u2018You giving your camels on hire to Haroon.\u2019
\n\u2018Ya ibne Rasool Allah, I\u2019m not giving him my animals for a forbidden act. He is hiring them to perform Hajj. I shall not even accompany him on the journey, but send some of my employees with my servants.\u2019
\n\u2018Answer me, Safwan, you have given him your camels on hire. He will use them and you will receive money for them. You will hope that he remains alive to pay you the money promised in the contract. Am I right?\u2019
\n\u2018Yes, of course.\u2019
\n\u2018Whoever wishes for the continuance of a tyrant will be party to his tyrannical actions, and whoever is included in the group of tyrants will go to hell.\u2019
\nSafwan did not waste a single moment in deciding to sell his camels and escape being included in Haroon\u2019s group. He sold his camels to free himself of the contract even if it meant losing his life. Being a true believer, taking this decision was easier than displeasing Almighty Allah.<\/p>\n

Money Well Spent<\/strong>
\nThe Holy Prophet (s) gave Imam Ali (\u2018a) 12 dirhams to purchase a long shirt for him. Imam Ali (\u2018a) bought a shirt and gave it to him (s).
\nThe Holy Prophet (s) asked, \u2018How much did it cost?\u2019
\n\u2018Twelve dirhams.\u2019
\n\u2018I am afraid I wouldn\u2019t like to wear something so expensive. If the shopkeeper agrees could you return it and buy something cheaper?\u2019
\n\u2018I\u2019ll see, Ya Rasool Allah.\u2019
\nImam Ali (\u2018a) spoke to the shopkeeper and he agreed to return the money and keep the shirt.
\nThen both (s) went towards the market together. On the way, they saw a young slave-girl sitting in a corner of the street and crying. The Holy Prophet (s) went to her and asked affectionately, \u2018Why are you crying?\u2019
\n\u2018My master gave me four dirhams to fetch goods from the market. I have lost them and can\u2019t find them. I don\u2019t have the courage to go home.\u2019
\nThe Holy Prophet (s) gave her four dirhams and told her to buy the needful and go home.
\nHe then went to a shop and bought a shirt for four dirhams, and wore it. On the way home, a man, totally nude, was seen. Quickly, the Holy Prophet (s) took off his shirt and made him wear it. He (s) then went back to the shop and bought himself another shirt for four dirhams. On the way back, he found the slave-girl sitting with all the goods and nervously looking around.
\nThe Holy Prophet (s) asked, \u2018Why have you not gone home?\u2019
\n\u2018I am afraid to go home because my master will ask me why I took so long and might beat me.\u2019
\n\u2018Give me your address. I shall accompany you so that no one says anything to you.\u2019
\nThey reached the place and the girl stopped, pointing to the house where she lived.
\nThe Holy Prophet (s) went close to the door and said loudly, \u2018 Assalam o Alaikum, dwellers of this home.\u2019
\nThere was no answer. He (s) repeated the greeting again but was met with silence. The third time, the inmates all replied in unison, \u2018Assalam o alaikum wa rahmatullah e wa barakatahu, Ya Rasool Allah.\u2019
\n\u2018Why did you not respond the first time? Did you not hear my voice the first two times?
\n\u2018We heard and recognized your voice the very first time.\u2019
\n\u2018Then why did you not respond?\u2019
\n\u2018Your greetings bring blessings with them, Ya Rasool Allah. We wanted to gain as many as we could.\u2019
\n\u2018I have come to ask you to excuse your slave-girl for being late, and not punish her.\u2019
\n\u2018Your coming is such a blessing for us that I release her from bondage this instant.\u2019
\nThe Holy Prophet (s) looked at Imam Ali (\u2018a) and smiled, \u2018Alhamdolillah! These 12 dirhams were so blessed, that they clothed two bodies and freed one slave-girl.\u2019<\/p>\n

Credibility ensures Success<\/strong>
\nAbdur Rahman ibn e Sayaba Kufi was a young man who had recently lost his father. Besides his father\u2019s death, his family was also a victim of poverty and unemployment. In short, he was miserably unhappy. One day, while he sat distraught, somebody knocked at the door. It happened to be his father\u2019s friend.
\nAfter offering his condolence he asked, \u2018Did your father leave some money behind?\u2019
\n\u2018No.\u2019
\n\u2018Here are 1000 dirhams. Invest them in a business; consider them as your principal amount. Use only the profit on domestic needs.\u2019 Handing him the money, he bade farewell and left.
\nAbdur Rahman was very obliged and relieved. He took the money and related the entire incident to his mother. Following his patron\u2019s advice, he converted the money into stock and began to trade his goods by placing them in a shop in the marketplace. In a short period, his business brought great profit. He spent the profit with great care and increased his merchandise. He met with greater success and the profit money increased, so much so that he decided that Hajj was now obligatory upon him. He spoke to his mother about his decision. She advised him to return the 1000 dirhams, that had brought so much prosperity, to their generous donor.
\nHe went to the gracious friend and after greeting him, placed the pouch of money before him saying, \u2018I came to return your money.\u2019
\nThe friend thought the money was being returned because it was not sufficient. He said, \u2018If the money was insufficient I\u2019ll increase the amount.\u2019
\n\u2018They were truly blessed. I wanted to thank you for your help and return your amount to you. With this money I have expanded my business and earned so much profit that I am now able to return your amount and perform Hajj.\u2019
\nAbdur Rahman returned home and starting making preparations for Hajj. After performing Hajj, he went to Medina and accompanied the large group of people going to pay their respects to Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (\u2018a). He sat down quietly in a corner and watched people interact with the Imam (\u2018a), present questions and receive answers. After the crowd decreased, the Imam (\u2018a) signaled to him to come near. When he was close enough, the Imam (\u2018a) asked, \u2018Is there something you need?\u2019
\nAbdur Rahman introduced himself. The Imam knew his father and asked about his welfare. On learning of his demise he said, \u2018Sad, very sad! May he receive Allah\u2019s blessings.\u2019
\nAfter that he enquired, \u2018Did you inherit money from your father?\u2019
\n\u2018No. There was nothing at all.\u2019
\n\u2018How have you performed Hajj, then?\u2019
\n\u2018A friend of my father gave me 1000 dirhams to invest in some business, which I did. Thanks to Allah, I made great profit and..\u2019
\nThe Imam (\u2018a) interrupted him and asked, \u2018What did you do about the 1000 dirhams that you received from a friend?\u2019
\n\u2018My mother advised me to return the money before performing Hajj. I went to return the money to him myself.\u2019
\n\u2018Well done! Would you wish me to counsel you here?\u2019
\n\u2018It will be my good fortune if you do.\u2019
\n\u2018Remember, honesty and integrity is obligatory upon you. A man\u2019s credibility makes him a shareholder of others\u2019 wealth.<\/p>\n

Mine or Ours<\/strong>
\nThe price of grain and bread was rising gradually in Medina. Everyone was busy trying to gather a whole year\u2019s stock of grain, and he who had it was preserving it. Among the population were the poor, who earned their daily bread.
\nImam Jafar al-Sadiq (\u2018a) enquired from M\u2019utab, his incharge of essential items, \u2018Do we have grain in the house?\u2019
\n\u2018Yes, enough to last a few months, Ya ibn e Rasool Allah.\u2019
\n\u2018Take it to the market and sell it to the people.\u2019
\n\u2018Ya ibn e Rasool Allah, there is a lack of grain in Medina, if we sell all our grain we will face difficulty in purchasing more.\u2019
\nM\u2019utab did as ordered and, after selling all the grain, came and reported to the Imam (\u2018a).
\nHe (\u2018a) instructed him, thus: \u2018From today onwards, our bread will be bought daily from the baking oven. There should be no difference between my bread and the bread available to others. It must contain 50% grain and 50% barley. Thanks to Allah, I can afford to eat whole grain bread for a whole year, but I will not do anything that makes me answerable for being insensitive to the collective needs of the population.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Taqwa<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n