Have you ever heard the term “business is about trust”? But, have you ever thought: what is trust built from? One answer is honesty. In the increasingly competitive business world, many people think that success requires cunning, being good at outsmarting the market, or being good at playing with prices. But in Islam, honesty and personal awareness are the key to success, not only worldly success, but also success in the afterlife.
So, why is honesty the main key? And how does Islam position honesty and personal awareness in business? Let’s discuss.
Honesty is Not a Marketing Strategy, But a Commandment from Allah ﷻ
Many businessmen today use “honest branding” to approach consumers. But in Islam, honesty is not just a branding strategy, but part of obedience. We are honest not because we want to be liked by customers, but because it is a commandment from Allah ﷻ. This obedience also requires personal awareness to stay true in every situation.
Allah ﷻ says:
“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ”
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with the truthful.” (QS. At-Taubah: 119)
This verse is very clear. Allah ﷻ does not say “be successful”, but “be honest”. Because that is where blessings will come from. Including in business.
Also read: Honesty as Muslims Professional Ethic
Honesty is Not Because of Profit, But Because of Obedience
Try to remember a simple experience: you have a regular shop, not because the price is the cheapest, but because you trust the seller. That is proof that honesty does have an economic impact. However, in Islam, we are not honest because of the economic effect, but because it is a command from Allah ﷻ. Personal awareness helps us uphold this value beyond profit.
Honesty in Islam is not a tool for making money, but a form of obedience. Because honesty is the key to success that is approved, not just a path to worldly gain. Although other people can benefit because we are honest, that is not the main motivation. The main thing is because Allah ﷻ tells us to be honest, and we as His servants must obey with full personal awareness.
Even the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was known as Al-Amin, the most trusted person, long before he was appointed as a Prophet. Then with the coming of Islam, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was ordered to perfect noble morals with the guidance of revelation. Even when he became a Prophet, the Quraysh people who did not yet believe still entrusted their valuables to him. But his honesty was not because he hoped for profit, but because he lived according to the values that Allah ﷻ taught: honesty and personal awareness in all things.
And interestingly, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“يُطْبَعُ المُؤْمِنُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ إِلَّا الْخِيَانَةَ وَالْكَذِبَ”
“A believer can be accustomed to doing all (reprehensible) deeds, except treachery and lying.” (HR. Ahmad)
This means that a believer may have slipped into other sins, but lying and betraying are not the traits of a believer. Honesty is the key to success and the identity of faith. So, if we do business and claim to be believers, we have no other choice but to be honest, based on personal awareness, no matter what the risks.
Because true success is not when we make a big profit, but when Allah ﷻ is pleased with the way we achieve it.
Also read: The Concept of Silence and Its Benefits in Islam
Honesty is Part of Morals, and Morals are Sharia
Honesty is not only about good character, but it is part of Islamic law. It is included in the category of morals that are obligatory. Personal awareness is essential to uphold this law consistently.
Therefore, if you sell goods and provide honest information such as telling them that your product has a slight defect or a short shelf life, it is not just a matter of business ethics. It is a good deed that can be rewarded.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“التَّاجِرُ الصَّدُوقُ الأَمِينُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ”
“The honest and trustworthy trader will be with the prophets, the righteous, and the martyrs.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi)
MashaAllah, his rank is very high! So don’t underestimate honesty, even if it’s just about giving the correct change or admitting that the stock of goods is out.
Also read: 9 Key Principles of Islamic Marketing
Lying Is Not a Shortcut, But a Path to Death
On the other hand, lying in business can destroy. Not only reputation, but also blessings. Have you ever heard the story of a trader who likes to hide the shame of his merchandise? That is not just manipulation, but a sin.
The Prophet ﷺ once passed by a market and found someone selling wet food. When he asked why the inside of the food was wet, the seller replied, “it got wet from the rain.” Then the Prophet ﷺ said:
“منْ غَشَّ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي”
“Whoever deceives, then he is not from my group.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Very harsh, huh? So if someone thinks: “It’s just a matter of seeking profit, a little lie is okay,” that’s a sign that he’s on the wrong track. In Islam, honesty is the key to success and is mandatory, not optional. And it must be rooted in strong personal awareness.
Also read: The Secret of Etiquette/Adab in Speech for Muslim Business Success!
Honesty is Not an Obstacle to Profit, but a Magnet for Blessings
Sometimes people are afraid to be honest because they are afraid of losing. “If I honestly say the item is bad, it won’t sell.” But on the contrary, honesty invites blessings, even though it may not be immediately visible. Personal awareness helps us trust in those blessings.
The profits gained from lies may be large, but they will not last. While the profits from honesty may be small, but the blessings are extraordinary.
And remember, a blessed business is more important than one that is merely profitable.
Khatimah: Want to Succeed? Start with Honesty
So, if you want your business to last, be trusted, and be blessed, don’t look for shortcuts. Start with honesty. Because honesty is not about strategy, but about the principle of life as a Muslim.
Honesty in business is a reflection of obedience to Allah ﷻ, not just a tactic to gain consumer trust. And such obedience requires deep personal awareness.
And remember the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
“إِنَّ الصِّدْقَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْبِرِّ، وَإِنَّ الْبِرَّ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ”
“Indeed, honesty leads to goodness, and goodness leads to heaven.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
May Allah ﷻ make us all honest, trustworthy, and successful businessmen in this world and the hereafter. Aamiin ya rabbal ‘alamin.
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Reference:
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim https://tafsirweb.com
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/bukhari
Muslim, Abu al-Husain. Sahih Muslim. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim.
Tirmidhi, Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa. Sunan At-Tirmidhi. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/
Ahmad bin Hanbal. Musnad Ahmad. Beirut: Al-Resaya,
Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid. Oh Ulumuddin. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah.
An-Nawawi, Imam. Riyadhus Shalihin. Beirut: Darul Minhaj.
An-Nabhani, Taqiyuddin. Ash-Shakhshiyyah Al-Islamiyyah. Bayrut: Darul Ummah.
