Ethical Foundations Lessons from Allah’s Guidance on Trust, Commerce, and Employment
Ethical Foundations Lessons from Allah’s Guidance on Trust, Commerce, and Employment On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said that Allah the Almighty said:
Ethical Foundations Lessons from Allah’s Guidance on Trust, Commerce, and Employment
There are three (1) whose adversary I shall be on the Day of Resurrection: a man who has given his word by Me and has broken it; a man who has sold a free man (2) and has consumed the price; and a man who has hired a workman, has exacted his due in full from him and has not given him his wage. (1) i.e. types of men. (2) i.e. a man who has made a slave of another and has sold him. It was related by al-Bukhari (also by Ibn Majah and Ahmad ibn Hanbal).
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: ” قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: ثَلَاثَةٌ أَنَا خَصْمُهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ: رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى بِي ثُمَّ غَدَرَ (1)، وَرَجُلٌ بَاعَ حُرًّا فَأَكَلَ ثَمَنَهُ، وَرَجُلٌ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيرًا فَاسْتَوْفَى مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُعْطِهِ أَجْرَهُ”
رواه البخاري (وكذلك ابن ماجه وأحمد)
In Arabic
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: “قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: ثَلَاثَةٌ أَنَا خَصْمُهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ: رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى بِي ثُمَّ غَدَرَ، وَرَجُلٌ بَاعَ حُرًّا فَأَكَلَ ثَمَنَهُ، وَرَجُلٌ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيرًا فَاسْتَوْفَى مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُعْطِهِ أَجْرَهُ”.
In Urdu
حضرت ابو ہریرہ رضی اللہ عنہ سے روایت ہے کہ نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے فرمایا: “اللہ تعالی نے فرمایا: قیامت کے دن تین لوگ میرے خصم ہوں گے: ایک شخص نے مجھ سے ملک دیا پھر دغا دیا، ایک شخص نے ایک حریم کو بیچ دیا اور اس کے پیسے کا کھانا کھا لیا، اور ایک شخص نے ایک مزدور کو استأجر کیا اور اس سے کام لیا لیکن اجرت نہ دی”.
In English
Narrated by Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Allah Almighty said: ‘Three are those whom I will oppose on the Day of Judgment: a man who gave something to someone and then betrayed him, a man who sold a free person and consumed the price, and a man who hired a worker, benefited from him, and did not give him his wages.'”
This hadith imparts several valuable lessons and benefits
Ethical Conduct
- It emphasizes the moral principles of trustworthiness, fairness, and justice in various aspects of life, including giving, commerce, and employment.
Divine Accountability
- The hadith underscores the concept of being held accountable by Allah for our actions. It serves as a reminder that ethical behavior is not only a societal obligation but a spiritual one.
Protection of Rights
- It highlights the sanctity of individual rights, condemning actions that violate the trust placed in others, exploit vulnerable individuals, or deprive workers of their rightful wages.
Social Justice
- The hadith promotes the idea of social justice by discouraging exploitative practices. It encourages a fair and equitable treatment of others in all transactions.
Guidance for Business Ethics
- For entrepreneurs and those engaged in commerce, this hadith serves as guidance on conducting business with integrity, refraining from unethical practices, and ensuring fair compensation for services rendered.
Compassion and Empathy
- It encourages empathy and compassion towards those who may be vulnerable or dependent on others. Exploitation and injustice are condemned in favor of compassion and fairness.
Personal Reflection
- Believers can use this hadith for self-reflection, assessing their own conduct in matters of trust, business, and employment. It prompts individuals to align their actions with ethical standards.
Building a Just Society
- The hadith contributes to the building of a just and ethical society by fostering a culture of trust, fairness, and accountability. It discourages practices that can lead to exploitation and social discord.
In summary, the benefits of this hadith extend to personal character development, ethical conduct in various spheres of life, and the promotion of a just and compassionate society. It serves as a guide for believers to navigate their interactions with others in a manner that reflects Islamic values and principles.
