أَسْوَاقُنَا مِرْآةُ هُوِيـَّتِنَا : Our Markets are Mirror of Our Identity

Al Quran is the final Holy Book revealed upon the Last of Prophets Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The Quran & Sunnah is the only source of holy guidance as it entails detailed instructions for each and every walk of human life. Here guidance from Quran for the followers of Islam (أَسْوَاقُنَا مِرْآةُ هُوِيـَّتِنَا : Our Markets are Mirror of Our Identity) is discussed wrt the business at markets are reflections of our own selves for better living from Quran and Hadith of Prophet ﷺ. This is an approved Jumma Khutba from the Sultanate of Oman and translated in English.

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

أَسْوَاقُنَا مِرْآةُ هُوِيـَّتِنَا

Our Markets are a Mirror of Our Identity

All praise is due to Allah, who guided His servants to the paths of earning a livelihood and made it easy, and provided for them what they need of the means of sustenance and destined it. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, Alone, without partner, in Whose Hand is the benefit and the averting of calamities. And I bear witness that our master and Prophet Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, the greatest, who sealed all previous messages with His message, and was supported by clear signs. May the purest blessings and peace be upon him, and upon his family and companions, guided and trustworthy, and upon whoever follows their path until the Day when the earth will be changed to something other than the earth, and the heavens.

To proceed, O servants of Allah:

It is one of the manifestations of Allah's grace and mercy upon His servants that He has made easy for them the means of livelihood and opened for them the doors of sustenance. This includes what He has deposited in the markets of benefits, fulfilling needs, and facilitating transactions.

The market in its origin is a noble purpose , and a vast field for acquiring lawful earnings, and a place of cooperation for the exchange of benefits. It falls under His (Allah's) saying, the Almighty:

وَآخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ 

(And others traveling through the land, seeking the bounty of Allah) (Al-Muzzammil: 20) 

And He also said:

لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَبْتَغُوا فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ 

(There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord) (Al-Baqarah: 198) 

The concept of the market has developed in the modern era. It is no longer just a place for the exchange of goods, but has become an urban, cultural, and economic arena, which includes commercial complexes, service centers, and recreational facilities. Moreover, it has extended into digital space to be within easy reach.

Despite this expansion, the responsibility of the Muslim also increases. He does not enter the market merely as a buyer or seller, but enters with a message he carries, values he represents, and character he displays.

The market is one of the places where morals are most intensely highlighted, and the true nature of the personality is revealed. That is why the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 

"May Allah have mercy upon a man who is generous when he sells, generous when he buys, and generous when he demands repayment". Generosity is a character trait that does not appear except in the field of interaction, and its sincerity is not tested except when interests clash and needs become complicated.

The Muslim merchant spreads values of truthfulness, trustworthiness, gentleness, fulfillment of promises, broad-mindedness, and leniency in dealings along with his sale. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 

"I was only sent to perfect noble morals".

Hence, one of the greatest evidence of faith is that the market is for the Muslim a place for earning reward, not a place for sin. He monitors Allah in his selling and buying, controls his tongue and his trustworthiness, restrains his harm, gives every rightful person his right, and avoids cheating, deception, and procrastination in fulfilling obligations.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) even urged the remembrance of Allah in the market , as a reminder to man of Allah's favor upon him, and guided to this comprehensive remembrance : 

"There is no god but Allah, Alone, without partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs the Praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is the Ever-Living and does not die. In His Hand is the good, and He is over all things competent".

O servants of Allah:

Islam has viewed the market as an applied field for faith, and an arena where the mettle of men and women is revealed , not just restricted to earning and making profit. It is a domain where the monitoring of the conscience, the sincerity of dealings, and the purity of intention are manifested. Whoever Allah enables to enter the market with a good intention, adhering to the manners of Islam, his effort becomes an act of worship, his dealing becomes charity, and his conduct becomes a silent call that raises the status of his religion.

Among the most important things we must advise one another about today is that our presence in the markets must be built on the rules of justice and transparency , seeking what is lawful (Halal), being keen to fulfill commitments, being scrupulous about doubtful matters (Shubuhat), being wary of cheating and fraud, and turning away from everything that compromises trustworthiness or demeans values.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 

"Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt". He also said: 

"Whoever avoids doubtful matters has cleared himself in regard to his religion and his honor".

Furthermore, the market should be a field where modesty is preserved, the gaze is lowered, and public taste is respected, in implementation of Allah's command, the Mighty and Majestic, in His saying:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ 

(Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision) (An-Nur: 30) 

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ 

(And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision) (An-Nur: 31) 

Thus, our morals serve as a safeguard for hearts, a guardian for society, a builder of trust, and a reinforcement of the values of respect and chastity. Whoever senses that he is performing a mission in the market, not just a transaction, his intention is elevated, his dealings are sublime, and Allah writes for him a reward for every step, dignity in his truthfulness, and honor in his modesty, as the Almighty said:

وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ 

(And whatever good you put forth for yourselves - you will find it with Allah) (Al-Baqarah: 110) 

أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ، وَادْعُوهُ يَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ البَرُّ الكَرِيمُ.

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الحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الإِنْسَانَ وَكَرَّمَهُ، وَأَمَرَهُ بِالسَّعْيِ فِي مَنَاكِبِ الأَرْضِ، وَأَرْشَدَهُ إِلَى مَكَارِمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ، وَجَعَلَ التَّرَاحُمَ وَالْعَدْلَ وَالصِّدْقَ سَبِيلًا إِلَى الْفَلَاحِ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، أَرْسَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِيُتَمِّمَ مَكَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ، وَيَهْدِيَ الْخَلْقَ إِلَى سَوَاءِ السَّبِيلِ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. 

To proceed, O servants of Allah:

Indeed, it is from the completeness of faith that the Muslim's morals are manifested in every place he steps. Among the broadest of those places and the most impactful on society is the market. It is a field where values intersect, and identity is revealed.

The market that is managed with a spirit of responsibility , where relationships are built on truthfulness and justice, and where order and public taste are observed, is part of the civilizational landscape of the nation , and a living witness to the sublime identity and values.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) indeed exalted the status of the trustworthy merchant , saying: 

"The truthful, trustworthy merchant will be with the Prophets, the truthful ones, and the martyrs". This is a high status that is not attained by abundant wealth, but rather by noble character, an awakened conscience, and a righteous intention.

The market, O beloved ones, is a shared commitment between the seller and the buyer, the organizer and the visitor. Every kind word in it is charity, every system observed in it is worship , and every respect practiced in it is a silent call to this religion.

Allah has praised those who combine striving for this world with mindfulness of the Hereafter, saying:

رِجَالٌ لَّا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَرَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ 

(Men whom neither commerce nor selling distracts from the remembrance of Allah) (An-Nur: 37) 

These are people whose hearts are attached to Allah even while in the market, their morals speak of faith, and their actions follow in the footsteps of the Messengers.

Let us represent Islam well in our markets, and make them a front that honors us, not one that disgraces us. For good dealing in it opens hearts , order in it builds trust , respect in it refines taste , and cleanliness in it embodies the sophistication of civilization.

So let each of us have a role in formulating this scene, whether through good conduct, advice, being a good role model, or by supplication:

وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا 

(And speak to people good [words]) (Al-Baqarah: 83) 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ 

(Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly)

هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى إمَامِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ؛ مُحَمَّدٍ الهَادِي الأَمِينِ، فَقَدْ أَمَرَكُمْ رَبكُمْ بذَلكَ حينَ قَالَ

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا

Surah Al Ahzaab – 56

So pray and send peace upon the leader of the messengers, Muhammad, the guide and trustworthy. Your Lord has commanded you to do so when He said: “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, send blessings upon him and salute him with a worthy salutation.” 

He says in Surah Al Ahzab: ALLAH and His kingdom send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, pray upon him and grant him peace.

Surah Al Ahzaab – 56

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وسَلِّم عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ وسَلَّمتَ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ نَبِيِّنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ نَبِيِّنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنْ خُلَفَائِهِ الرَّاشِدِينَ، وَعَنْ أَزْوَاجِهِ أُمَّهَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَعَنْ سَائِرِ الصَّحَابَةِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَعَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وعَنْ جَمْعِنَا هَذَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

O ALLAH, bless and grant peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon the family of our Prophet Muhammad, as You prayed and peace upon our Prophet Abraham and upon the family of our Prophet Abraham, and bless our Prophet Muhammad and the family of our Prophet Muhammad, just as You blessed our Prophet Abraham and the family of our Prophet Abraham in the worlds. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. And be pleased, O Allah, with his Rightly-Guided Caliphs, and with his wives, the Mothers of the Believers, and with all the rest of the Companions, and with the believing men and women, and with this gathering of ours, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ جَمْعَنَا هَذَا جَمْعًا مَرْحُوْمًا، وَاجْعَلْ تَفَرُّقَنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ تَفَرُّقًا مَعْصُوْمًا وَلا تَدَعْ فِينَا وَلا مَعَنَا شَقِيًّا وَلا مَحْرُومًا

Oh ALLAH, make this gathering of us a merciful gathering, and make our separation after it an infallible separation, and do not leave among us or with us any wretched or deprived.

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَاهْدِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلَى الْحَقِّ، وَاجْمعْ كَلِمَتَهُمْ عَلَى الخَيْرِ، وَاكْسِرْ شَوْكَةَ الظَّالِمِينَ، وَاكْتُبِ السَّلامَ وَالأَمْنَ لِعِبادِكَ أَجْمَعِينَ

Oh ALLAH, honor Islam, guide Muslims to the truth, unite their words in goodness, break the power of the oppressors, and grant peace and security to your servants. All of them. 

اللَّهُمَّ كُنْ عَوْنًا لإِخْوَانِنَا فِي أَرْضِ الأَقْصَى المُبَارَكِ، وَكُنْ مَعَهُمْ وَثَبِّـتْهُمْ وَارْبِطْ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ وَصَبِّرْهُمْ، وَاخْذُلْ عَدُوَّكَ وَعَدُوَّهُمْ، وَاجْعَلِ الدَّائِرَةَ عَلَيْهِ يَا ذَا الجَلالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ

O Allah, be a helper to our brothers in the blessed land of Al-Aqsa, be with them, strengthen them, strengthen their hearts, and grant them patience. Disappoint Your enemy and their enemy, and turn the tables on him, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الثَّباتَ فِي الأَمْرِ، وَالعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ، ونَسْأَلُكَ شُكْرَ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَحُسْنَ عِبَادَتِكَ، ونَسْأَلُكَ قُلُوبًا سَلِيمةً وأَلْسِنةً صَادِقةً، ونَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا تَعْلَمُ، وَنعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا تَعْلَمُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا تَعْلَمُ

O Allah, we ask You for steadfastness in our affairs and determination to do what is right. We ask You for gratitude for Your blessings and proper worship of You. We ask You for sound hearts and truthful tongues. We ask You for the best of what You know and seek refuge in You from the worst of what You know. We seek Your forgiveness for what You know.

اللَّهُمَّ يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ يَا ذَا الجَلالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ بِكَ نَستَجِيرُ وَبِرَحْمَتِكَ نَستَغِيثُ أَلاَّ تَكِلَنَا إِلَى أَنفُسِنَا طَرفَةَ عَينٍ، وَلاَ أَدنَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَأَصلِحْ لَنَا شَأْنَنَا كُلَّهُ يَا مُصلِحَ شَأْنِ الصَّالِحِينَ

Oh ALLAH, O Ever-Living, O Ever-Living, O Possessor of Majesty and Honour, there is no god but You, Glory be to You, by You we seek refuge and by Your mercy we seek help, that you will not leave us to Our souls are within the blink of an eye, and nothing is closer than that. And rectify for us all our affairs, O Reconciliator, the affairs of the righteous.

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا احْفَظْ أَوْطَانَنَا وَأَعِزَّ سُلْطَانَنَا وَأَيِّدْهُ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَيِّدْ بِهِ الْحَقَّ يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ، اللَّهُمَّ أَسْبِغْ عَلَيْهِ نِعمَتَكَ، وَأَيِّدْهُ بِنُورِ حِكْمَتِكَ، وَسَدِّدْهُ بِتَوفِيقِكَ، وَاحفَظْهُ بِعَينِ رعَايَتِكَ

Oh ALLAH, our Lord, protect our countries, honor our authority, support it with the truth, and support it with the truth, O Lord of the worlds. Oh God, bestow your blessing upon him, Support it with the light of your wisdom, guide it with your blessings, and protect it with your care.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ بَرَكَاتِ السَّمَاء وَأَخْرِجْ لَنَا مِنْ خَيْرَاتِ الأَرْضِ، وَبَارِكْ لَنَا في ثِمَارِنَا وَزُرُوعِنَا وكُلِّ أَرزَاقِنَا يَا ذَا الْجَلالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ

O ALLAH, send down upon us from the blessings of the sky and bring forth for us from the goodness of the earth, and bless for us our fruits and our crops and all our provisions, O Possessor of Majesty and Generosity.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا في الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَات، المُسْلِمِينَ وَالمُسْلِمَات، الأَحْيَاءِ مِنْهُمْ وَالأَمْوَاتِ، إِنَّكَ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ مُجِيبُ الدُّعَاءِ

O ALLAH, forgive the believing men and women, the Muslim men and women, the living and the dead among them. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the Near, the Answerer of supplications.

عِبَادَ الله

 إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآىِٕ ذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَيَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنڪَرِ وَٱلۡبَغۡىِ‌ۚ يَعِظُكُمۡ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ

O servants of ALLAH - Indeed, ALLAH commands justice and good deeds, and bestows favor on relatives, and forbids indecency. And the denier and the transgressor admonish you that you may remember.

Surah An Nahl-90

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وآخر دعوانا ان الحمد للہ رب العالمین- سبحان ربک رب العزة عما يصفون، وسلام على المرسلين، والحمد لله رب العالمين