Business Islamic Economics Islamic Finance Muamalah Fiqh

Sharia-compliant Entrepreneurship Concept

Laras Wati21 May 2024

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According to (Razak, 2018) states that Islamic entrepreneurship is a system, process, and practice in running a business in an Islamic way. Islam in question includes the way of life al-deen, namely all activities needed by Muslims in living life. Meanwhile, according to (Ibn Khaldun, 2001), sharia entrepreneurship is an effort to obtain and increase income by developing property own.

It can be concluded that sharia entrepreneurship is a system or process in carrying out sharia business or entrepreneurship which includes production, consumption, and distribution activities based on Islamic sharia values with the aim of obtaining income or profit.

The concept of entrepreneurship itself is not a new concept, this concept has existed since the time of the Prophet ﷺ . Rasulullah ﷺ himself is a very good role model in carrying out entrepreneurial or business activities, he has started trading or entrepreneurship since he was 12 years old with his uncle Abu Talib. Since then Rasulullah ﷺ began trading in various countries, until now the example of Rasulullah ﷺ has always been used as a reference in entrepreneurship in accordance with the contract, purpose, character, ethics and concept of Islamic entrepreneurship.

The foundation of Sharia Entrepreneurship

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَاۡكُلُوۡۤا اَمۡوَالَـكُمۡ بَيۡنَكُمۡ بِالۡبَاطِلِ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ تَكُوۡنَ تِجَارَةً عَنۡ تَرَاضٍ مِّنۡكُمۡ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوۡۤا اَنۡـفُسَكُمۡؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ بِكُمۡ رَحِيۡمًا‏ ٢٩

O you who believe! Do not eat from each other’s wealth by false means, except in trade that is consensual between you. And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is Merciful to you (Q.S An-Nisa: 29).

Based on the above verse that entrepreneurship is allowed by Islam by way of buying and selling on the basis of the willingness of both parties and is not allowed to trade or entrepreneurship in a way that is false such as usury, gharar and maysir (gambling).

فَاِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلٰوةُ فَانْتَشِرُوۡا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ وَابۡتَغُوۡا مِنۡ فَضۡلِ اللّٰهِ وَاذۡكُرُوا اللّٰهَ كَثِيۡرًا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ‏ ١٠

When the prayer has been performed, then scatter you over the earth; seek the bounty of Allah and remember Allah much that you may be fortunate. (Q.S Al-Anfal: 10)

From surah al Anfal it can be seen that Allah ﷻ ordered his people to seek the bounty of Allah ﷻ but at the beginning of the verse Allah ﷻ said “When the prayer has been performed” in this case including trading or entrepreneurship prayer is still mandatory.

اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ تَكُوۡنَ تِجَارَةً حَاضِرَةً تُدِيۡرُوۡنَهَا بَيۡنَكُمۡ فَلَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ اَلَّا تَكۡتُبُوۡهَا ؕ وَاَشۡهِدُوۡۤا اِذَا تَبَايَعۡتُمۡ وَلَا يُضَآرَّ كَاتِبٌ وَّلَا شَهِيۡدٌ وَاِنۡ تَفۡعَلُوۡا فَاِنَّهٗ فُسُوۡقٌ ۢ بِكُمۡ ؕ بِكُمۡ ؕ وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ؕ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللّٰهُ ؕ اللّٰهُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيۡمٌ‏ ٢٨٢  ؕ

“…. Unless it is a cash trade that you carry on between you, there is no sin on you if you do not write it down. And take witnesses when you buy and sell, and do not make writing difficult and witnessing difficult. If you do (so), then indeed, it is an unrighteousness on your part. And fear Allah, Allah teaches you, and Allah knows everything” (Al Baqarah: 282).

In entrepreneurship or commerce there should be witnesses in transactions to facilitate the legal process.

Ethics in Sharia Entrepreneurship

Not trading or entrepreneurship by trading goods that are forbidden and free from usury (riba).

“O you who believe! Verily liquor, gambling, (sacrificing to) idols, and casting lots with arrows, is an abominable act and is among the deeds of the devil. So avoid them so that you may prosper.” (Al-Maidah: 90)

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَذَرُوۡا مَا بَقِىَ مِنَ الرِّبٰٓوا اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِيۡنَ‏ ٢٧٨

“O you who believe! Fear Allah and leave behind the residue of usury (which has not been collected) if you are believers”.(Al Baqarah: 278)

Honest and Trustworthy

In entrepreneurship, it should be done honestly and trustworthy in transactions starting from the agreement and the product including the process of measuring and weighing in trade, so that both parties feel justice and no one is harmed.

In entrepreneurship, it should be done honestly and trustworthy in transactions starting from the agreement and the product including the process of measuring and weighing in trade, so that both parties feel justice and no one is harmed.

“Narrated Muhammad bin Yahya, narrated Abdush Shamad, narrated Shu’bah from Muharib bin Ditsar from Jabir bin Abdullah, who said: ”The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When you weigh, determine the weight (accordingly).” (H.R Ibn Majah 2213)

It Is Forbidden to Pretend to Bid a Certain Price to Attract Others to Buy

أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ عَنْ مَالِكٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَهَى عَنْ النَّجْشِ

“Qutaibah reported to us from Malik from Nafi‘ from Ibn ’Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade bidding on goods to deceive other buyers.” (H.R Nasai: 4429)

Hoarding (Ikhtikar) goods is prohibited

Ikhtikar is an activity by accumulating and storing goods within a certain period with the aim that the price will rise one day due to the scarcity of these goods and can get a large profit.

“Abdullah bin Maslamah bin Qa’nab told us Sulaiman – that is Ibn Bilal – from Yahya – that is Ibn Sa’id – he said, ‘Sa’id bin Musayyab told us that Ma’mar said, ’The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever hoards goods is sinning.” (H.R Muslim 3012)

Entrepreneurship Voluntarily or Sincerely With the Agreement of Both Parties

“O you who believe! Do not eat each other’s property by false means (not right), except in trade on a consensual basis between you. And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is Most Merciful to you”. (Q.S An-Nisa: 29)

Thus, the concept of Islamic entrepreneurship rooted in the example of the Prophet ﷺ, who has demonstrated ethical and sharia-based business principles from an early age, is a relevant guideline until now. As his followers, may we always be able to emulate him in all aspects of life, including in commerce and muamalah, and obtain the pleasure and blessings of Allah ﷻ in our every step.