Q: Asalamualikum,

I have gotten my MBA. i have worked for three years and saved a considerable amount of money to open my own business. i want Islamic advice that i can benefit from relating to business. I once heard you say a dollar earned through halal  and a penny given in the path of Allah from it is more hurtful on shaytan than a million earned in haram and all of it is given in charity.  i want to make the best decision. Please advice. JAK

Time: December 19, 2015 at 6:39 PM

A: Walaikumsalam,

Congratulations on attaining your MBA. May Allah (SWT) bless you in both the worlds. I will share with you a few things that are going to be the most difficult for you, but if followed, it would create success in both the worlds — InshaAllah, Ameen.

*Ensure that you are dealing only in halal products. You cannot trade in things that you do not value. And you cannot value that which is inconsistent with your religion and or its values. And do not shop around for Fatwas that would weaken your level Imaan as it relates to your trade!

*Never cheat! Be fair to all. Just as you trying to make a dollar, so is the manufacture, supplier, employee, consumer! Be Fair! You are not going to the grave with your wealth. But we can get hurt in the grave for the evil we have done to others. And we can be punished for the haram we feed our children.

*Be transparent. Do not lie, do not cheat! If an item is defective, let the customer know. Do not wait for them to catch you out in selling inferior quality merchandise.

*NEVER allow haram money to come inside your home! NEVER! Feeding the family Haram will turn your family against you.  Allah (SWT) gives them to you as an amanah, when you give them haram, they will loose respect for you.  You will create restlessness and pain for yourself. Money will come but vanish in unnecessary bills. Barakah will vanish.

*Do not show off your wealth. True success humbles a person. Money earned through haram makes a person arrogant.

*The day you stop enjoying prayer, or cannot pray and cannot do good deeds, know full well that you have possibly indulged in haram. Haram and halal will NOT mix.

*When you feel the need to control the lives of people that are weak, understand you have fear. Control of human life NEVER gains you true success. People like to give bosses control so bosses can feel good about themselves. This is done out of fear and issues related to survival! So do not be fooled by people. Know the difference between respect and fear.

*Don’t spend your money on that which is unnecessary.

*Spending your money on outcomes that are haram is an indicator that you earned your wealth the haram way.

*Share with your employees, take a personal interest in them. Wish them well. They too have needs. Just as you want success for your family, award them ideas of success as well.  If you feel they can make more money or be more successful elsewhere, help them move on. Do not hinder the progress of others. Be a well-wisher, and others  will wish you well.

May Allah (SWT) bless you and keep you among those that are successful in everything you do, Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.