Islamiyat Chap 2 Business Principles PDF

# Chapter 2: Business Principles of the Prophet's Perception ## Prophet and Business - **Prophet Muhammad's** (Saw) source of income until adulthood was his parents', grandfather and uncle's patronage and leftover. - **He grazed the goats and sheep** of residents of Makkah. - **He earned very meag...

# Chapter 2: Business Principles of the Prophet's Perception ## Prophet and Business - **Prophet Muhammad's** (Saw) source of income until adulthood was his parents', grandfather and uncle's patronage and leftover. - **He grazed the goats and sheep** of residents of Makkah. - **He earned very meager money** to survive and well-being. - **It was all Prophets** (Saw) who cherished Sunnah to earn living by grazing goats and sheep. - **Once infidels objected** Prophet (Saw) on going to the bazaar. - **Allah (Swt) said, "Not only he (Prophet)** (Saw) but all Prophet (Saw) used to eat and dwell in markets for business and job-related matters."¹ - **This quotation is not only for eating** but narrates a person's visit to the market for buying and selling things. - **Earning a living** was helpful in performing duties assigned to them. ## Prophet Muhammad's Principles of Business in the Present Perspective - **Shariat** has defined all accurate practices to perform worldly obligations. - **Distinct guidelines** are described for earning, selling and investing. - **Due to this a person may** seek Allah (Swt)'s happiness and achieve worldly welfare and wellbeing on Doomsday. ### Business Virtues - **All worldly affluence** and wealth are momentary, these are not everlasting goals. - **Truly the goal is** the welfare of Doomsday. - **A person needs these ethics** to survive in this world. - **It is therefore imperative** that a person should understand the real values of living in the world. - **He/she should not forget** the path of Halal and Haram and always concentrate on acquiring wealth. - **Allah (Swt) has defined** in Quran as earning by Halal means. - **The Prophet** (Saw) has also described many benefits and principles of business. - **The Prophet** (Saw) said, "Seek modest way in worldly affairs because whatever is created for you, you will get it."² **A businessperson** should be moderate in business. - **A person should assume** in business that whatever he is earning is safe questioning from abuse. - **Similarly, saved money** from greed in dealing with people. - **One should exert** to make his family self-content. - **One should attempt** to follow Allah (Swt)'s instructions of business. - **If one travels** then he should propagate the religion's authenticity. - **The Prophet** (Saw) also said, "When any person gets any job, he should not leave it."³ ### First Principle: Learning About the Desired Business - **It's a frequent problem in our community** that people do not know about the business they want to do. - **It's important** that a person should learn about the business he wants to do. - **Allah (Swt) instructed** the Prophet (Saw): "Do not follow strangers and do not adopt any method which is not verified."⁴ - **It's therefore necessary** for one should properly learn and understand the desired business technique. - **Before starting the business, the Prophet** (Saw) traveled with his uncle Abu Talib and Zubair (Radh). - **He learned the business techniques** of that time and then started the business. ### Our Dilemma - **Often people are unaware** of the basic principles and ethics of business. - **They just follow flourishing people** without learning the ethics of business and suffer loss. - **Do they think that Allah (Swt)** blesses and approves business then why there is a loss in business? - **It's therefore essential** that principles and ethics should be learned. - **One should know** the customs and rules of dealings in business. - **One should also know** the false actions beforehand to avoid loss. ### Second Principle: Strategic Planning - **Following Shariah principles** and keeping the pleasure of Allah (Swt) effort should be made to establish such a system through which desired objectives are achieved in the shortest possible time. - **In Islamic universal education, there** are fixed guidance. - **Besides limited means** benefits may be acquired from Allah's (Swt) blessings. - **Its clear proof is** Sahabas (Radh) of the Prophet (Saw). - **They always looked** to the creator's guidance instead of their own belongings. - **They did such wonderful deeds** which cannot be visioned in today's scientific arena. - **Today one or two people** **do not do business** like past. - **Now two or three people** run a shop jointly. - **If a business is established on a large scale**, then companies are established in which many people participate. - **That needs big** management to achieve desired goals. ### Need for Strategic Planning - **Each institution** should be divided into departments. - **Such persons be appointed** for each department who are capable, expert and conduct the job efficiently and proficiently. - **There should be** close affiliation among all departments. - **It's not only the responsibility** of the in-charge persons but also the company owners. - **Such an environment be created** so that all workers perform their duty cooperatively to achieve the desired goals. - **There should be close supervision** of the work and guidance provided to see that the work is done according to the principles of Shariyah. - **Management planning** is especially important. - **Allah (Swt) has also stated** need for planning and communicating through HIS Prophet (Saw), "He created everything and revealed its code."⁵ **At another place it's stated:** “Allah (Swt) has already recommended it."⁶ **The message is clear from these Ayat** that Allah (Swt) has described all kinds of planning. - **Likewise, Allah (Swt) has recommended** HIS servants (bondon) to do their duty with proper planning. ### Prophet Yousuf's Planning - **The Prophet Yousuf said,** "You continue cultivating grain for seven years and leave some in storage beyond consuming. - **After that, there will be seven years of drought** in which you had consumed a good quantity of grain." - **Only saved grain will be there** after that, there will be plenty of rain and you will be well satisfied."⁷ - **There may be business** or government, and the basic secret of success depends on proper planning. - **In view of the Quran** and Sunnah of the Prophet (Saw), no nation can be successful without following it. - **Hazrat Yousuf** had Allah (Swt)'s guidance due to which he inspired about the coming years. - **He did plan for future years accordingly** and saved his people from suffering. - **In this way**, each organization can achieve success through proper planning. ### Suggestions for Action Plan - **To achieve success** planning is essential. - **It's also necessary** that before beginning any project consultation with competent people should be sought. - **Those who follow this, there is a blessing** of Allah (SWT). - **Allah (Swt)** instructed HIS beloved Prophet (Saw) when Quran was revealed in pieces. - **The Prophet** (Saw) always consulted his companions before going on Jihad. - **In the case of Badr,** the Prophet (Saw) got the news that Quraish coming to war. - **The Prophet** (Saw) conversed with all Muslims. - **Mohajreen extended full support.** The Prophet (Saw) wanted to listen to Ansars also. - **Ansars also showed** great bravery. - **Saad bin Rabie said** "If the ocean is before us, we shall jump into it with you." - **The Prophet (Saw) was incredibly pleased** and said, "You should be informed that Allah (Swt) has promised me success among two parties." - **After that the Prophet** (Saw) moved and reached near Badr. ### Benefits of Consultation - **There are benefits of** consultation among companions in solving problems and doing proper planning. - **If there is no consultation** then the problem may become acute. - **When wise people get together** and consultation, then several proposals and solutions are achieved. - **Allah (Swt) has blessed** and professed success through HIS Prophet (Saw). - **The Prophet** (Saw) said, "One who did premonition will never be disgraced and who did consultation will never be embarrassed."⁸ **Consultation and discussion** are necessary in all aspects of life. - **One who does not follow these two** will not be successful. - **Consultation should be done with a person** who is an expert in the field, honest, religious and sincere. - **The consultant should also advise** which is benefit for Muslim brothers/sisters. - **"When you say something should be based on honesty."⁹** **The Prophet** (Saw) said, “The person who is consulted should be trustworthy."¹⁰ - **If the advice of any person** is not accepted then the consultant should not feel humiliated. - **It was the practice** of all companions (Sahaba) of the Prophet (Saw). - **When Umar (Radh) was injured** and near death then six companions were called. - **He said,** “After me, any subordinate may be chosen, with consultation, from among these six."¹¹ - **After consultation** opinion of the majority should be followed. - **If anyone suggests something** it should be based on sound arguments otherwise there will be scattering. ### Supervisor's Supervision - **Supervision is also an essential** part of planning. - **When after consultation**, there is an alliance effort should be made to carry out the work. - **The supervisor should be appointed** and he should be supervised. - **It's imperative** the hat supervisor should be one, not two, and pious. - **In appointing supervisor** piety should be essential. - **Being pious** he will perform his duty with honesty and authenticity. - **Whenever Sahaba assigned** any Sahabi to do any job they cared for his piety and checked continuously. - **Hazrat Umar (Radh) said,** “If I appoint any person Amir on you who is best and honest among you would I be discharging my duty appropriately? **Sahabah said,** Yes! He said, **No. Unless I see** he is performing his assigned duty truthfully, I shall not be performing my duty correctly if not supervise him perfectly."¹² - **It is ironic of fate** we appoint supervisor such as a person who is secularly educated and trained by capitalistic people. - **Sometimes a person is appointed** who flatterer of the management. - **Thus, not only the organization** is tumbledown and deprived of Allah (Swt)'s blessings due to the deprivation of people's rights. ### Third Principle: Saying Truth - **When a business is started** with halal capital then there should be full care by action, verbal, and dealings. - **If we see Prophet** (Saw) business activities, we shall find truthfulness and fulfilling promises. - **Hazrat Khadijah (Radh) offered** her [capital] for the business to Prophet(Saw) after knowing his truthfulness, trust and promise abiding. - **People engaged in business testified** to Prophet (Saw) truthfulness before and after Prophethood (Saw). - **Prophet** (Saw) recommended his Ummah the same pattern of business. -**"True and trustworthy businesspeople will be with Prophet's** (Saw) true, martyrs and virtuous persons in Jannah. "¹³ ### Root Cause of Our Destruction - **The cause of the destruction** of our society is that our businesspeople are dishonest in their actions and verbal dealings. - **True speaking is one** of the salient features of the business. - **If any businessperson is truthful**, every person will trust him and many people give their capital to him. - **Conversely, if any businessperson cheats**, no one trusts him even if he speaks the truth. - **Hazrat Khadijah (Radh) knowing the truthfulness and honesty of the Prophet** (Saw) gave her wealth to him for business. - **She also said that she will give more remuneration** to him. - **But it's incredibly sad that** our businesspeople do not deal without lying in our society. - **If contracts are implemented on lying**, those are never fulfilled. - **While in view of the Prophet's** (Saw) advice there is no room for lying in a Muslim's life.¹⁴ - **Defective things are sold** on the false pledge which is the cause of blasphemes. ### Marketing - **Marketing means** publicizing products and services and their benefits and quality. - **It is to persuade** people to purchase and acquire more profit. - **In past publicizing practice** was not known but today publicizing practice is quite common. - **Today products are publicized** by commercial media in newspapers, pamphlets, photo ads on streets, on TV channels, on Radio, etc. - **All these products are publicized**. - **As there are many ways** to publicize products, similarly there are many false and violating techniques. - **Every company promotes its** by false exaggeration their products. - **Sometimes they do not** publicize the quality of the product. - **Often companies publicize** their products through females on TV. - **They also publicize** obscene pictures of women on the streets. - **It is a violation of other companies'** products which is totally against the principles of Shariah. - **To publicize products is not again Shariah but it is useful** for the consumers to know the quality and excellence of the product. - **To advertise** the producer's sanctity and making known how and from where the product could be purchased is essential. - **Shariah's limits should be kept** in view to attain religious benefits otherwise there will be a deficiency. ### Islamic Way of Marketing - **In the Quran and Sunnah** way of marketing is described. - **Allah (Swt) says**: "Call people towards the best way of wisdom and good judgment."¹⁵ **Here Allah (Swt)** emphasized HIS beloved Prophet(Saw) calls people towards their Lord in the best way and wisdom. - **If any person wishes to publicize his products**, he must do it but it should be safe and sound. - **There should be benefits** for Muslims. - **The best way is to speak the truth**, describe the quality of his product and convey his expertise. - **One should not talk falsely**, must not treat others maliciously and do not convince people with a wrong presentation. - **Imam Bukhari has written** one chapter on it. - **The seller and purchaser trade in clear terms**. - **The seller should describe** all qualities of the product to the purchaser, not hide anything and tell the price of it. - **By these indicators**, it is quite evident that marketing or publicizing is not again Islamic principles. ### Fourth Principle: Avoid Cheating and Mixing - **The Prophet** (Saw) said, "Those who cheat are not from amongst us."¹⁷ **The great cause of deficiency in business is cheating and adulteration.** - **It is such a wicked crime**, its punishment is certain in the world as well as hereafter. - **Allah (Swt) does not sanctify** that income that is earned by false means. - **The great anguish in our society** is that mill owners or factory owners do not use standard raw materials in producing their products. - **In view of this**, when the product comes into the market the purchaser or the person who ordered the product loses trust in the producer. - **In this way, the producer's sanctity is** damaged and he suffers great loss. - **It's essential that when any product is** ordered by someone the producer should clearly define the quality of the raw material. - **If there is any flaw in the product**, the producer should inform the purchaser to avoid conflict. - **In Quran there is guidance**: "When you make armors make its rafters should be accurate and do the right job."¹⁸ **Here Allah (Swt) suggested** to Prophet (Saw) Daud (Alhes Salam) how to manufacture iron amors. - **The rafters should neither be** very heavy nor exceptionally light and neither very near nor far away but should be fixed properly. - **Thus, armor will be worn conveniently** and will be advantageous. - **If our businesspeople adopt these principles**, they will gain benefits. - **If the production of products is on the prescribed standard**, it will be in accordance with Quranic instructions it acquires people's trust and business will grow smoothly. - **If our businesspeople adopt the same principles of business**, may gain profitable gains. - **The quality of the product may be maintained** as promised and provided to people. - **It will be not only following Quranic principles** but achieving public trust and confidence. ### Result of Adulteration - **Abdul Hameed bin Mahmood narrates:** I visited Hazrat ibn Abbas (Radh), a person came and he said, we few friends came for Haj. - **When we reached Safa** one of our friends died. - **We dug a grave for him** and saw a black snake inside the grave. - **We dug another grave** and found the same situation. - **We leftover it as it was**. - **We came to you** to know and ask you about it. - **Hazrat ibn Abbas said**, "Bury him there. By God, if you dug through all of the earth, you would find the same situation. It is all due to his deeds. - **So, we buried him**. - **We returned to our residence** and went to the dead person's house. - **We asked about his activities** from his wife. - **She told us he was doing business with grain** and did adulteration in it. - **He used to save some grain for domestic use** and mix the same quantity of barley in grain stock. - **This is the reason for the black snake in his grave."¹⁹ - **Let all businesspeople should consider that** just for sake of money they are not buying punishment in the grave. ### Fifth Principle: Renumeration of Human Resources - **The success of any business** depends on good human resources. - **Allah (Swt) has dispersed economic activity** in such a way that everyone depends on others. - **Factories and Mills** are also run-on same patron. - **Allah (Swt) has imparted weakness** in human beings they cannot perform all kinds of work all alone. - **In view of this**, the businessperson, factory and/or mill owner should engage labor according to the principles of Shariah. - **In Quran it is said,** " Humans are bestowed with graded abilities so that their services are acquired as needed."²⁰ **With this Ayah**, it's evident that Allah (Swt) has managed the economic system of the said patron. - **Thus, every person is dependent** upon others. - **Any group may not create unnatural hurdles** for another group. - **There may not be a monopoly** in the distribution of wealth. - **When a person is dependent on others**, then the selection of the needed person should be as per Prophet's(Saw) guidelines. - **The selected person should be awarded dignity and honor**. - **"Keep every person on his/her decorum.”²¹** ### How to Hire a Person? - **There is a direction in Quran** about hiring a person. - **According to Quran**, there are four basic elements for the selection of any person: 1. Strong; 2. Trustworthy; 3. Protector; 4. Wise. **Surely it's better to appoint** healthy and trustworthy.²² - **Hazrat Musa (Alhes Salam) went to Madyan to escape Firoin's torment**. - **There he saw a crowd of people**. - **He saw two girls standing aside** to suckle their goats with water. - **Perhaps they could suckle goats with leftover water**. - **Girls were not capable of eluding crowds** and suckling goats. - **Prophets are always benevolent**. - **When he saw this situation,** he suckled goats. - **The girls told their father,** Hazrat Shoaib (Alhes Salam), about this event when they reached home. - **He called Hazrat Musa** (Alhes Salam). - **One of the girls said,** "Surely it's better if you appoint him since he is healthy and trustworthy."²³ 1. **Strong:** It's essential that a person should be strong as a week person could not do the job correctly and on time. - **In some cases, age is also imminent.** - **In the sales business, young boys** should be appointed since as being young and desirous to earn good fortune they struggle to promote the sale of products very proficiently. - **If any aged person is engaged** being an advanced age, he will not be able to promote the sale of the product effectively in comparison to a young person. 2. **Trustworthy:** It is also essential that an engaged person should do the job proficiently and with responsibility. - **If a person is not trustworthy**, he may be causing a loss to the company. - **He will either waste time** or product and thus the company suffers loss. - **"Yousaf (Alhes Salam) said** if I am appointed on treasury since I know the job and will protect it."²⁴ **Yousaf (Alhes Salam) said** I may be appointed to the treasury. - **I possess all qualities** of this job being protective and wise. 1. **Protector:** The appointed person should be appropriate for the job. - **He should be capable** and perform the job to the prescribed standard. - **Some senior people should look after** the work of appointed persons of their ability and performance. - **Conversely, a young person does not possess experience, he will not** be suitable to supervise. - **Similarly for marketing, such persons** should be selected who are well-behaved and cool-minded and can deal with customers to satisfy them to sell products efficiently and proficiently. 2. **Wise:** One who is assigned the responsibility of the company's management should be capable in all respects of worldly or religious matters. - **If he is trusted only on basis of experience**, will not be useful. - **Today, with experience, technical knowledge** is also required. - **All these are required on piety.** - **It is known that those who are not pious** cannot be faithful to Allah (Saw). - **One who is not loyal to his Allah** (Saw) cannot be loyal to his master. - **Today several issues are cropped up** such as stealing, corruption and late performance of work. - **Due to this, production is not on standard merit.** - **Therefore, for the benefit of the company**, it's imperative that principles designed by Allah (Swt) and the Prophet (Saw) should be adopted otherwise success cannot be achieved. ### Islam is a Founder of a Complete System - **Islam is a natural faith.** - **It has devised only those methods** which are familiar to peoples' nature and contrary to conflicts. - **Faith promotes benevolence** and the spirit of benevolence is required in all occupations. - **In view of this**, there should be a moral fiber between entrepreneurs and labor. - **Usually, the entrepreneur tries** to seek much more benefits and pay less to the labor. - **Similarly, laborers want to do less** and get more remuneration. - **This selfishness of both creates problems** in business activities. - **Allah (Swt) has defined certain principles** of the relationship between entrepreneurs and laborers through the Prophet(Saw) which are the base of a successful system. - **If those are followed**, there will be a total success here and hereafter. ### Behavior with Employees - **A person who is in** an elevated position should behave soberly with his subordinates. - **Prophet** (Saw) has said: “Allah (Swt) is kind and likes kindness.”²⁴ **Good polite relation** solves many disputes between entrepreneur and laborers. - **Often entrepreneur considers themselves superior** and labor inferior and does not behave soberly. - **Similarly, if any labor commits any mistake**, he does not forgive him. - **Sometimes big load of work is forced** on labor which he is unable to conduct. - **Thus, differences crop up between owners** and laborers. - **Thus, business is spoiled or completely finished** which is harmful to both. - **The laborers do not feel safe with the crude treatment** of entrepreneurs and crumble down. - **It affects laborers' families and social life** and they prefer to quit their job. - **In this situation,** the company is deprived of the best-skilled labor. ### Self-Respect - **It's necessary that the company owner should consider the self-respect** of his employees. - **He should not call** them disrespectful names that displease them. - **If any employee commits any mistake,** he should be forgiven and efforts should be made to improve his work. - **It's very sober behavior**. - **Whenever the Prophet** (Saw) found any person misdoing he did not chastise him but informed the person through others. - **Hazrat Aisha (Radh) said,** "Whenever Prophet (Saw) knew any person's indecent action he never said what happened to that person to do such a thing but he used to say what happened to people to do such a thing.”²⁵ - **If the self-respect of employees is considered**, there will be a good relationship between the owner and employees. - **The business will flourish**. - **If there is a lack of refined relationships, the employees** will be under pressure and will quit the job. - **Thus, the company loses experienced and well-skilled employees**. ### Over Time Renumeration - **Often times the owner takes extra work** from employees and does not pay remuneration for that. - **When there is any emergency** and employees are asked to do extra work then the owner should pay in appreciation for the work. - **Thus, the employees will be happy** and will do extra work willingly whenever needed. - **If any worker is not able to** do any work, he should be helped to do the job. - **Wherever the described principles are not applied** and employees are not paid fairly those businesses do not prosper. - **The employees do not take a keen interest** in extra work and treat that as a burden. - **They quit their jobs.** - **The business or company suffers** and declines to downfall. ### Salaries on Time - **Nowadays owners take work** from employees and do not pay remuneration and do dill-dallying or pay extremely late which is totally unjust. - **The Prophet** (Saw) said "Pay remuneration to workers before sweat is dried." - **Many government and private departments delay payment** to their employees which creates anxiety and economic problems among workers. - **Payment of remuneration on time to workers** is a token of appreciation that helps in solving their economic problems. - **The payment on time to a worker is his right** and as well as good behavior. - **In companies where payment is delayed, their employees are disheartened** and they demonstrate and protest. - **It's essential to maintain** a favorable situation in business and efforts should be made that employees' rights are protected. - **If any owner provides full protection to his employees, Allah (Swt)** blesses him with rewards and those who do not care are cursed. ### Duties of Employees - **Shariah has described** workers' rights at the same time it has stressed upon him to totally abide by the contract of service. - **If he does any personal** work during job time or performs duty idly and does not conduct work on time, it will be breaching of contract which is not correct legally, religiously and socially. - **It will be completely against Quran** and Sunnah. - **The salary which he will get** will be Haram. - **In Hadith, it's said that laborers should be paid their wages** before their sweat is dried. - **It means wages should be paid** at the earliest and it also means that the worker should work so laboriously that he perspired with sweat. - **If the owner of the company does not care for laborers' rights**, even then they should obey directions. - **Prophet** (Saw) said: "Hazrat Yazid bin Jafi said to Prophet (Saw) Ya Rasoul Allah what is your opinion if our rulers demand their rights from us but do not provide our rights? He (Saw) declined. - **It was again asked**, and he(Saw) again declined. - **Again, the third time it was asked**, He (Saw) replied, "Obey them because they are under their own pressure and you are own pressure."²⁶ - **There are certain enterprises that care** about their rights and neglect employees. - **It's possible they are not doing it intentionally** and may have some compulsion that may not be known to employees. - **It's possible that they did not have any idea of it**, or they are doing it intentionally. - **It's better for employees to quit solemnly** but even then show their loyalty to the owner and abide by the contract conditions. - **This is evident from Hadith**. ### Sixth Principle: Consistent Monitoring - **It's possible, there** may be mistakes in working alone or it may be due to Saturn or self-ego. - **Islam has defined such a technique** following that there is less need for supervision but it does not eliminate. - **It's obvious that before inviting** any person to join the administrative committee should be observed he is virtuous.. - **If the person is virtuous**, loyal to his Lord and God-fearing, will certainly abide by the company's rules and regulations on his piety. - **He will perform his job honestly** and reverently. - **If he's not virtuous**, then he may work in presence of the owner on chastisement and scolding halfheartedly. - **But in his absence**, he will perform his duty with no interest and solemnly. - **In view of this**, supervision is very essential. - **Today, one person does not** perform all work but there is a team of workers who jointly do the job, therefore supervision is necessary. - **It's not against trusting.** - **Trusting means depending on all available resources** and relying on Allah (Swt)'s blessings and favor. - **Even then planning and supervision is needed.** - **The Prophet** (Saw) said, "Every one of you is a supervisor and will be questioned about his dependents."²⁷ **The Islamic intention of supervision is not to make known workers' mistakes and abuse and defame them,** but supervision's purpose is to encourage workers discharge their duty in a better way and develop a better relationship between supervisor and workers. - **It’s therefore, necessary** for the supervisor should supervise workers keeping their mental and working abilities in view. - **He should explain to workers** their mistakes in a logical way. - **He should tell them that the way** they are working should be beneficial and not harmful to the Muslim community. - **In Quran, it is stated** that the supervisor and the workers should discharge their duty safely from deficiency. - **"Oh! Mormino save yourself and your siblings from hell's agony."²⁸** **It means following** Shariah and avoiding what is forbidden and taking care of yourself and your siblings. - **No one would be exempted** from doing correct things himself, but he is obliged to supervise his siblings also. ### Current Supervision - **There are several oversights in the current supervision method**: - **To make known workers' mistakes and defame them** - **To curse and awe to attain business targets** which is the cause of intensifying sentiment. - **In supervision, personal sentiments and criticism if involved**. Supervision is done on a person's experience and not Islamic principles. - **No difference is in spying and supervision.** Efforts are made to publicize workers' mistakes and pressurize them. - **The designation is done** - **In supervision no attempt is made for improvement** but the intention is to punish workers. They believe by these workers could be controlled. - **In my opinion, these are the root cause** of supervision that are harmful to the organization. - **In our situation, the supervisors in the administration believe that** they should be strict and severe to control the workers. - **Even if the supervisor is wrong** but he can get work done by abusing and insulting workers. - **This method is treated** the right way for progressing the business. - **On the contrary, by inducing and encouraging workers**, will be dutiful and work with more incentive and interest. - **It is a more convenient way**. ### Hazrat Umar (Radh) and Supervision - **The main duty of the caliph is to supervise appointed** administrators. - **Hazrat Umar (Radh) appointed any administrator, he used to get agreement** and consensus and noted details of his property. - **If he found it extraordinary,** used to break up. - **At Haj, it was announced** that if there is any complaint against any administrator it should be reported so that the dispute is solved and rectification is done. - **Once Khalid bin Walid (Radh) rewarded someone.** - **Hazrat Umar (Radh) came to know**. - **He wrote to Abu Obaidah (Radh), General, to probe,** “If Khalid (Radh) gave reward from his own money then is squandering, if from Baitul Mal then it is a breach of trust in both conditions he is liable to be demoted. - **Similarly, someone complained against Abu Musa Ashari (Radh), who was governor of Basra,** that he has selected sixty war prisoners for himself. He assigned official work to Ziyad bin Safyan. - **He has one slave girl** who is provided the best food which is not available to any common Muslim. - **Hazrat Umar (Radh) questioned**. - **Ziyad responded to two questions satisfactorily** but one could not. - **The slave girl was taken back from him."²⁹ ### Why Supervision is Necessary? - **Shariat has provided such a balanced system** in which neither people will get disgusted, nor anyone will be deprived of it. - **Pride, arrogance, hatred and negligence will be removed**. - **A nation that survived and lead for more than ten centuries** in leadership. - **Who taught many** fields of knowledge and its many subjects are still taught in universities of Europe? - **Mathematics and supervision were the basic subjects of education** Their downfall is the cause of abandoning the basic principles of Shariah. - **It is therefore imperative** that all activities are again modeled on the principles of Shariah. ### Monitoring Accounts - **Supervision is not possible with monitoring.** - **It is, therefore, monitoring of finance of any organization**, is very essential. - **By monitoring, it will be possible to know how much assets** and targets are and how much achieved. - **If the targets are not achieved**, then proper planning is needed. - **Similarly, it is to be ascertained** how much crude material costs, how much is debt, how much money is received and how much is spent. - **It's necessary to know the circulation of capital** and profit. - **It will help in determining Zakat** and deciding business targets. - **It will help young workers to be attentive** in maintaining accounts and records. - **In the past business people's book**, after his death, was treated as a charter for business transactions. ### Seventh Principle: Charity Expenditure - **To spend for sake of Allah (Swt)** and business is necessary. - **To progress in business and spending** for Allah's (Swt) sake is extremely useful for the welfare of life. - **Spending maybe in any form.** It may be charity, zakat, construction of a Masjid, construction of a school, helping travelers, serving to needy persons, donation to charitable organizations, and social welfare institution, etc. - **Spending for sake of Allah (Swt)** is a guarantee for progress in business and the welfare of life. - **As it is in Hadith**: "Asma bint Abbi Bakr (Radh) said, 'I said to Prophet(Saw) I do not have anything for charity except the income of Zubair (Radh) (her husband). What should I give in charity?' - **Prophet(Saw) said,** "Do not desist, otherwise you will desist."³⁰ - **It means if you are not kind to the community and do not help with arms**