Businesspeople

Throughout the Muslim world, successful business men and women are respected and envied. Pious Muslims who have accumulated wealth through shrewd business dealings are considered to be very blessed by Allah. Since Muhammad, Islam’s founding messenger, was a trader, the world of commerce and business has always been important.

The kinds of businesses that are most valued are those that enable one to become rich without having to work hard. Taxi drivers dream of owning several taxis that they rent to others, so that they can live off of their earnings. Wealthy businessmen like to build apartment blocks, office buildings, and hotels that can bring in ongoing income once they are built. Few people are motivated to run their businesses in order to provide employment.

Though small independent shop keepers are often an exception, successful businesspeople typically acquire wealth by exploiting others and, as is true in many societies, through corruption. It is almost universally the norm that businesses underpay their employees and do not look after the buildings they own.

A major movement has developed over the past 50 years that seeks to adapt modern business, banking, and financial systems so that they are compliant with Sharia law, which, for example, prohibits the charging of interest.

Islam requires everyone to give alms (zakat), and many wealthy businesspeople do help the poor in their communities. In Islam, the ideal goal is not to be wealthy, but rather to be true to the guidance given by Muhammad in order to be ready for the hereafter. Quran 28:76 (Abdul Majid Daryabadi) says: “And seek the abode of the Hereafter with that which God hath vouchsafed thee, and forget not thy portion in the World, and be thou bounteous even as God hath been bounteous unto thee, and seek not corruption in the earth.”

Islam also teaches that all wealth is a gift from Allah, and that one must not hold too tightly to that which one has since it is really Allah that owns everything. Quran 36:70, 72 (Yusuf Ali) says: “See they not that it is We who have created for them―among the things which Our hands have fashioned―cattle, which are under their dominion? … And they have other profits from them besides, and they get milk to drink.”

Jesus, seeing that [the man] had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
Luke 18:24

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Matthew 6:24

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Timothy 6:10

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.
Deuteronomy 8:18a

You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.
Leviticus 19:11

You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.
Leviticus 19:13

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.
Proverbs 11:1

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
Luke 16:10

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
Romans 12:2a

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19