Not a few business partnerships are broken not because of lack of capital, but because of loss of trust. Nor because of major violations, but because there is no room for mutual understanding when one party is in difficult times. This proves that trust building in business is not just about contracts, but about navigating human realities with wisdom.
We live in a fast-paced world: messages must be responded to immediately, progress is demanded instantly, results must be immediately visible. So when a partner starts to respond slowly or faces obstacles, it is easy to become suspicious. Then, trust that has been built for years can collapse just because of a few weeks of delay.
In fact, in Islam, trust building is not a matter of a moment. It is not born from a mere work contract or black and white. Trust grows from consistency, trustworthiness, and calm morals and among its main spirits is patience.
Patience does not mean allowing the wrong to happen. But it gives space to calmly assess:
Is this really a form of negligence? Or is our partner being tested and needs time to improve?
This is where the role of patience becomes a test of morality as well as a path opener to blessings. Because trust building is not enough with just control, but also with wisdom in responding to business tests in a humane and sharia manner..
This article is not here to postpone decisiveness, but to invite us to re-evaluate: How can patience become a spirit that strengthens trust building in business, especially in transactions that Allah ﷻ wants to bless?
Trust and Trust Don’t Grow from One Meeting
(Patience as the key to trust building within a framework of amanah)
In business relationships, especially those built on Islamic values, amanah is the pillar and trust is the roof. But a roof cannot stand without time, without being tested by the weather. Likewise, trust building does not emerge from a single smile or a promise or two. It requires consistency, sacrifice, and patience.
In the real world, often the people we trust are also ordinary people who have limitations, can make mistakes, can get tired, and can even fall silent when they are confused about facing internal problems. And that’s when the other party who is not in a difficult position is tested:
Will he act hastily? Or will he be patient for a moment and give space to improve?
Allah ﷻ said :
God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing. God willing
“Indeed, Allah commands you to convey your trust to those who are entitled to receive it…”
(QS. An-Nisā ‘: 58)
Fulfilling a mandate is not only about the rights that are fulfilled, but also how to deal with delays with manners , not immediately accusing, not easily revoking trust. Because people who are patient in facing the tests of their business partners are helping to maintain the building of trust itself.
Building trust is like planting a tree. There are times when it grows abundantly, there are also times when its leaves fall. But whoever is patient in caring for it, he is the one who will enjoy the fruit.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught:
مَنْ أَنْظَرَ مُعْسِرًا أَوْ وَضَعَ لَهُ، أَظَلَّهُ اللَّهُ فِي ظِلِّه ِ
“Whoever gives time to a person in difficulty, or frees him, Allah will shelter him in His shade…”
(HR. Muslim )
In the context of business, this hadith is not only relevant for creditors, but also for business partners. When the other party is in trouble, and we are patient, that is not weakness, it is proof of the strength of our morals and the strength of our intentions in our transactions.
Because trust is not built from haste, but from patience that continues to grow even when conditions are not ideal .
Well, here is the continuation of the next two chapters and the conclusion, still flowing, polite, sharia-compliant, and closely tied to the big theme: patience as the spirit in building business trust.
Also read: Tawakkul in Investment Return
When Trust Begins to Be Tested: Patient or Assertive?
Not everyone can survive the pressures of business. Even the most trustworthy person can fall. But that is not where trust ends, but where trust building is tested most.
When a business partner is late in fulfilling their obligations, or a project does not go as expected, a big question arises in our minds: Is it time to be firm? Or should we be patient first?
Being firm is important, especially when it comes to rights. But being firm does not mean being hasty , and being patient does not mean being weak . In Islam, we are taught to weigh things with the law. When someone is really in trouble, demanding them head-on will only worsen the relationship.
Allah ﷻ says:
وَإِنْ كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَة ٍ
“If (the debtor) is in difficulty, then give him time until he is able.”
(QS. Al-Baqarah : 280)
In the context of business partnerships, this verse teaches us not to ignore the real conditions of our partners. It could be that they are not unwilling to fulfill their obligations, but are indeed down and unable to stand up.
Our patient attitude at times like these will be proof that we are not only running a business, but also committed to trust building with the spirit of sharia.
Also read: The Meaning of Tasamuh (Tolerance) Between Investors and Business Partners
Patience Breeds Stronger Relationships and Sustains Trust Building
Many business relationships end because they fail to get through one crucial phase: a temporary crisis of trust . However, if all parties are willing to be patient for a while without prejudice and pressure, often the solution will emerge by itself.
Patience is not just holding back a reaction, but giving the other person space to improve. This is where we learn that trust building is like tending a small flame: if fanned too hard, it dies. But if left patiently, it grows into a steady glow.
A business relationship built on patience will produce honest communication, a deep sense of security, and an unshakable bond the very ingredients of long-term trust building.
And that’s where the blessing comes from.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
God bless you الْأَرْض ِ…
“Those who are merciful will be loved by Ar-Rahman. Love those on earth, and those in the sky will love you.”
(HR. Tirmidhi )
In the business world, compassion can manifest itself in the form of a sense of calm: with patience when others stumble.
Also read: The Important Wealth Planning in Sharia Compliant
Conclusion: Be a Trusted Partner, Not a Feared One
Trust is not built from promises that sound convincing, but from an attitude that remains calm when things are difficult. And there is no attitude that better reflects Islamic morals in business than patience in trust building.
Patience in dealing with a partner who is falling.
Patience in resisting the urge to demand immediately.
Patience in giving room for improvement, without revoking the trust.
Because in fact, building trust is a long worship , which is not completed in one contract, but continues to live in everyday attitudes.
So if today we face a partner who is having difficulties, try to calm down, pray for his goodness, and give him a little time. Maybe from that patience Allah ﷻ opens a wider, more blessed, and stronger path for the continuation of this business.
And who knows, perhaps our patience today, which not many people know about, will be the reason Allah ﷻ makes us the most trusted partner… not only in this world, but also by His side in the future. That is the essence of true trust building.
Also read: How to Make Side Hustles for Hajj
Let’s Visit, Zeed and join for halal investment with Zeed.
Reference:
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim. Surah An-Nisa’ verse 58 . Accessed from: https://tafsirweb.com/1590-surat-an-nisa-ayat-58.html
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim. Surah Al-Baqarah verse 280 . Accessed from: https://tafsirweb.com/1046-surat-al-baqarah-ayat-280.html
Muslim, Imam. Sahih Muslim . Retrieved from: https://hadits.id/hadits/muslim
At-Tirmidhi, Imam. Sunan At-Tirmidhi . Accessed from: https://hadits.id/hadits/tirmidzi
Al-Mubarakfuri, Syaikh Shafiyurrahman. (2000). Tuhfatul Ahwadzi bi Syarh Jami’ At-Tirmidhi . Beirut: Darul Pole al-‘Ilmiyyah.