Thirdly, Allaah The Almighty pointed out for us that the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them belongs only to Him, The Most Exalted and Glorified. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {To Allaah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them…} [Quran 5: 120] (1).

He, Glorified be He, also has settled humans in this earth and prepared it for their benefits and interests. In this regard, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {…He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it,…} [Quran 11: 61].

He, Exalted be He, Says (what means): {It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth…} [Quran 2: 29].

He, The Almighty, also Says (what means): {And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth…} [Quran 6: 165].

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority."} [Quran 2: 30].

Allaah The Almighty pointed out that all forms of wealth belong actually to Him. In this regard, He The Almighty Says (what means):

-   {…and give them from the wealth of Allaah which He has given you...} [Quran 24: 33]. 

-   {… And We reinforced you with wealth and sons…} [Quran 17: 6].

-   { And how many a creature carries not its [own] provision. Allaah provides for it and for you…} [Quran 29: 60].

Such noble verses and many others illustrated that all forms of wealth belong to Allaah The Almighty and that people are made only successors regarding it so that Allaah The Almighty may test them and to see which of them is best in deed and has most sound faith.

Accordingly, Muslim individual has to dispose and spend it according to such certain faith theory that all wealth belongs to Allaah The Almighty and thus one has to spend and collect it according to what Allaah The Almighty has prescribed in His noble religion and what His Messenger, peace and blessing be upon him, outlined in his Sunnah.

Fourthly, conducting trade transactions is something highly required in Islam. Rather, Islam encourages doing them; however, according to the Islamic ruling in general and in buying and selling in particular. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {…But Allaah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest…} [Quran 2: 275].

He The Almighty also Says (what means): {And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allaah, and remember Allaah often that you may succeed.} [Quran 62: 10].

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means) praising His believing worshipers who combine between seeking provision via trading and observing the acts of worship: {[Such niches are] in mosques which Allaah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings. [Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allaah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turnabout.} [Quran 24: 36-37].

He, Glorified be He, Says (what means): {…So seek from Allaah  provision and worship Him and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned."} [Quran 29: 17].

Trading, selling, buying, renting, hiring, speculation, and the like of the other different forms of commercial transactions are something required by religion for this brings many benefits and good effects for both the individual and society. Rather, this is one of the basic needs because everyone has his own different necessities and several needs such as eating, drinking, clothing, something to ride and the like. One cannot provide himself with all the things he needs; rather, he needs what other people make or have in their hands and they will not give him this except for a compensation or via the transactions of buying, selling, renting, hiring, loaning and the like.

In this way, interests will be achieved, needs will be fulfilled, and economy will thrive. Islamic Sharee‘ah (i.e. divine laws) comes to control the different transactions among people in a way that can achieve their aims and fulfill their needs along with protecting them from any harm to be caused for oneself or others.

Business and trade in Islam are not at all based on plundering, stealing, disdaining, cheating, deceiving, untruthful oaths, and different styles of deceptive and misleading propaganda. Rather, they abide by the Islamic divine laws and rulings.

Such rulings and guidelines are combined together in two important basic principles that every Muslim individual should know and understand and abide by them in all of his transactions.

1- The first basic principle that all commands and prohibitions are based on is that the Lawgiver does not enjoin anything except that which is good and in people’s best interests regarding their religion, bodies and worldly life. Nothing of whatsoever can go against this basic principle. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means) speaking about his Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him: {…who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil… } [Quran 7: 157].

2- The second basic principle with regard to all transactions and different forms of trade is that all things are lawful. Thus nothing can be made unlawful or prohibited unless there is proven Islamic evidence that they are unlawful and prevents it. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {…But Allaah has permitted trade…} [Quran 2: 275].

Also, He, Exalted be He, Says (what means): {And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].} [Quran 2: 188].

This means that it is lawful for you. This applies to all forms of trade. Out of the great Wisdom and Mercy of Allaah The Almighty towards His worshipers is that He The Exalted does not forbid anything of transaction except to protect them from its harm and evil.

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1) Soorat Al-Maa’idah Ayah (verse): 120.

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