Many people are enthusiastic to start a business as investors. Especially if they find a business opportunity that seems halal, has a profit-sharing system, and has great profit potential. But unfortunately, not a few jump in without understanding the knowledge first. In fact, in Islam, investing without knowledge can be the beginning of disaster, not the beginning of blessings.
As Muslim investors, we are not just depositing capital. We are building a cooperation that is worthy of worship, a contract that not only involves humans, but is also witnessed by Allah ﷻ.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ once said:
إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ
“Indeed, deeds depend on intentions.” (HR. Bukhari, Muslim)
If our intention is to please Allah ﷻ, then learning knowledge before we start a business as an investor is not only important, but obligatory. Because in contracts such as syirkah, mudharabah, and musyarakah, the mandate is great. The money may not be much, but the accountability? Directly before Allah ﷻ.
Allah ﷻ himself confirms in the Qur’an:
فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاهِدٌۭ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ
“So indeed Allah is a witness over what they do.” (QS. Yunus: 46)
So when we start a business as an investor without knowledge, do not know the rights and obligations, or just agree for the sake of profit, it is not just technical negligence. It could be a form of dishonesty, and unfortunately, remember we are being watched directly by Allah ﷻ.
That’s why, before we talk about potential profits, before sending funds and signing agreements, we must know what knowledge we must learn. Because smart Muslim investors are not the ones who deposit funds the fastest, but the ones who are most serious about seeking blessings.
Also read: How to Use Average Down as an Investment Strategy
Mandatory Knowledge Before Becoming a Sharia Investor
We have agreed, yes. To start a business as an investor is not only about having capital, but also about having knowledge. Don’t let the profit be halal, but the contract is problematic. Or vice versa, the contract is sharia, but we don’t understand its contents, so we end up jumping in without knowing the depth.
Now, so that our steps are steady and blessed, let’s first learn the basic knowledge that must be possessed before depositing funds and signing the contract.
1. Understand First: What Contract is This?
Whether the business is big or small, the first question remains the same: is this contract a syirkah or mudharabah? Or maybe… a fake contract?
Ulama really emphasize this. Sheikh Ash-Syinqithi (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah رحمه الله said:
لاَ يَجُوزُ لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِي عَقْدٍ لاَ يَفْهَمُهُ
“It is not lawful for a Muslim to enter into a contract that he does not understand.” (Adhwa’ul Bayan, 1/263)
So before depositing capital, ask first: who is working, who is determining the direction of the business, who is bearing the risk? This will determine the contract and its sharia law.
Also read: What to Do When Receiving a Pay Rise: How to Use it to Reach Financial Freedom
2. Differentiate between Sharia Profit and Haram Profit
Not all profits are halal. If you start a business as an investor, but want a fixed profit, ask for a guarantee of capital return, and don’t want to lose, that’s a red light. That’s not an investment, that’s usury.
Remember the words of the Prophet ﷺ:
الخراج بالضمان
“Profit is in line with risk.” (HR. Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidzi)
If you don’t want to take risks, don’t take the results. Because in Islam, capital, work, and responsibility are a package.
3. Check the Sharia Legality
Don’t just look at the business prospects. Also see: is this a halal business or not? Don’t let our money be used to sell alcohol, manage online loans, or projects that are haram.
If you say, “But I’m not directly involved,” that’s exactly what it is. Because you are involved in investing, it means you are also responsible. Allah ﷻ says:
وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ
“And do not help one another in sin and transgression.” (QS. Al-Ma’idah: 2)
4. Understand Investor Rights and Obligations
As an investor, you have the right: to get a share of the profits, know the business report, and know where your money is being used. But you also have obligations: to keep the contract, maintain honesty, and not force anything that is not sharia.
If you help manage the business, the contract is syirkah. If you don’t help manage it, it’s mudharabah. And each type has its own rules. Understand that. Don’t bring sharia into it, but play it haphazardly.
The point?
Knowledge is a lamp. Don’t let the enthusiasm for profit make us blind. Before you start a business as an investor, turn on the lamp of knowledge first. So that the steps are clear, the contract is valid, and the results, God willing, are blessed.
Also read: Sharia Compliant Investments for Beginners
Khatimah: Investment is a Trust, Not Just a Number
Friends, to start a business as an investor in Islam is not only about how much capital and how much profit sharing. But about intention, knowledge, and sharia responsibility.
If we intend to seek blessings, maintain contracts, understand the rules, and act trustworthy, then every rupiah we invest can become a field of reward. But if we are careless, do not learn, and only seek worldly profit, it could even become a path to a heavy reckoning.
Come on, become a smart, knowledgeable, and trustworthy Muslim investor. Because every transaction, every contract, every rupiah that circulates—all are witnessed by Allah ﷻ.
مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَىٰ ثَلَـٰثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ
“There is no secret conversation between three people, but He (Allah) is the fourth.” (QS. Al-Mujadilah: 7)
May Allah ﷻ make us trustworthy, knowledgeable, and approved investors. Aamiin.
Also read: Syawal Fasting: A Small Investment, Big Rewards!
Let’s Visit, Zeed and join for halal investment with Zeed.
References:
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim https://tafsirweb.com
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Isma’il. Sahih al-Bukhari. Retrieved from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/bukhari
Muslim, Abu al-Husain. Sahih Muslim. Retrieved from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim.
Abu Dawud, Sulaiman bin al-Ash’ats. Sunan Abi Dawud. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1992.
Ash-Syinqithi, Adhwa’ul Bayan, Volume 1, page 263.
