Theme: Business Etiquette in Islam
Allah’s messenger (ﷺ) said:
The Prophet (ï·º) said, “The haughty, even with pride equal to a mustard seed in his heart, will not enter Jannah.” A man enquired: “What about that a person likes fine dress and fine shoes?” He said: “Allah is Beautiful and likes beauty. Pride amounts to disclaiming truth out of self- esteem, and despising people .”
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ood:
(Source: Muslim, Hadith No.7031)
Did you know that some of our imams were rich with business? Imam Abu Haneefah was so rich he wanted to give his student 1000 dirhams just to change his poor clothing. Imam Malik was also rich such that he was able to eat meat daily and wore fine clothing while his house was immaculately adorned. He(Imam Malik) even detested people of knowledge who did not show the blessings of Allah on himself.
Yet, there is a limit to which we should adorn ourselves especially if it is beyond our means or is in extravagance and wasteful as mentioned in the quran 17:26-27 where Allah reminds us not to spend wastefully for those who do are indeed friends of Shaitan.
In the business or the finance industry where wealth is plenty, the hadith serves to remind us that Islam is not about being an ascetic or sybaritic, two extremes of this world, rather the middle path of moderation.
This hadith also sheds light on what pride really is: denying the truth and looking down on people. Essentially, Islam is beautiful and so is its followers who have beauty internally and externally.
