Like a large population of the people of the world, many Muslims run their own businesses. It could be a business focused towards meeting the needs of other Muslims, and it could be a business for the general public.
Regardless of the target audience of the business, a Muslim’s business is distinct in the sense that it is guided by the dictates of Islam. Every conscious Muslim knows the importance of having Allah (ta’ala)’s barakah (blessing) in anything that we do, business included.
So, whether you are just thinking of starting a business or you are a veteran entrepreneur, the barakah of Allah (ta’ala) should be something that we strive for daily, and here are some ways through which we can strive for it.:
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Set Sincere Intentions
Intention precedes actions in Islam, and actions shall be rewarded according to intentions. A sincere intention puts you on the road towards receiving barakah in your business.
Before you open yourself up for business online or offline, make your intention for starting the business.
Remember that everything we do as Muslims should be done for the pleasure of Allah (ta’ala), so when setting your intention, make this the priority before anything else.
Offer Halal Services/Products
It will be awkward for us to expect the barakah of Allah (ta’ala) in something that He has expressly forbidden in the Qur’an or through the ahadith of the Messenger of Allah (SAW). You can’t be selling alcohol, pork etc. and expect barakah.
So, after setting your intentions, be sure that whatever business that you decided to go into is permissible under the Shari’ah.
If you are already selling products that are not permissible or services that are forbidden, it is never too late to sincerely repent. Don’t be worried about starting all over, know that if Allah (ta’ala)’s barakah is in your new business, then success will not be an issue.
If you are not sure if your product or service is halal, consult knowledgeable scholars who will be able to guide you.
Pay Zakat Regularly
Many of us abandon the responsibility of paying zakat even when we can afford to. Many people hold on to discrepancies in calculation methods or spend the profits from their business in a way that there wouldn’t be enough savings to deduct zakat from.
While such people may think that they are being smart or financially savvy, let’s remember that zakat is a pillar of Islam and every Muslim who believes in Allah (ta’ala) must pay it whenever they become eligible.
How do you expect the barakah of Allah (ta’ala) in a business that is eligible for zakat but the owner simply chooses not to pay? This is a sin that we should strive to not fall prey to.
The money that we deduct for zakat from our business may seem huge to us now, but we can’t even know the reward that awaits us with Allah (ta’ala) for it.
Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to order us to pay the sadaqah (zakat) on what we prepared for trade.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)
Give Sadaqah
Even though sadaqah is a charity that is not compulsory, it is a good way to bring the barakah of Allah (ta’ala) into your business,in sha’a Allah.
Whatever you give freely of your wealth multiplies, so give of whatever you can afford. Your sadaqah may be from the profits of the business, or it could be you giving a poor person something from your store. It may also mean you giving your skill, time, or service for free for the benefit of someone else.
Be Honest
There are so many things that the ahadith warn us against when doing business, and one of them is dishonesty. No matter what the cost is for you, a Muslim is sincere and transparent in everything they do.
If you desire to cheat other people or pass inferior quality as good quality, for example, how then do you want the barakah of Allah (ta’ala) to be in your business?
Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, “Beware of excessive swearing in sale, because it may promote trade but this practice will eliminate the blessing.” (Riyad us-Saliheen)
Fairness to Workers
Fairness to workers is one of the things that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught us as Muslims. In several ahadith, it was narrated that he personally never employed the services of anyone without paying them their wages, for example.
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Give the worker his wages before his sweat dries.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
These days, many people put their workers under the hardest conditions. They deny them their wages, healthy working conditions, and so many benefits.
This is not the way of a Muslim who is hoping for the barakah of Allah (ta’ala). This treatment of workers is a sin upon the employer.
So, for every Muslim entrepreneur, the way we treat the people that work for us is also important to the success of our business. Treat people fairly and justly. Give them what is due and fair, and fear Allah (ta’ala) and do not usurp their rights.
Running a business is not something that is against our religion. In fact, it was practiced by a majority of the Sahabas during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ). So, for everyone who has a business and hopes for the barakah of Allah (ta’ala) on it, we should remember to do acts that will bring barakah to us.
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