Q: I import goods and sell them for a 25 per cent profit. This profit covers expenses for phone calls, written communications and custom duties. Is this permissible in Islam?
A: Buying and selling for profit is permissible as long as the nature of the trade is permissible. Regarding the declaration of profit, a seller has a choice to inform the buyer of the original price of the goods or not. If he does so, this is praiseworthy and considered an ethical practice, though there is no obligation on him to do so. This is what in the traditional books is called Murabaha and is when the profit is specified and the buyer has full visibility of the cost price. The reason why Murabaha is an honoured contract is because it is based on Amana, or trustworthiness, and implies a good relationship between the trading parties. Thus it is crucial to note that everything in such trade has to be clear and true.
Q: What is the meaning of the words in the Quran: “Ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much as possible for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other behind their backs”?
A: The suspicion that is prohibited in the above verse refers to having a persistent bad opinion based on an unfounded accusation pertaining to acts or deeds. It is to think the worst of people without entertaining the possibility that one’s opinion may be wrong despite their being no evidence in support of this. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned us against such suspicion when he said, “Beware of suspicion (about others), as suspicion is the most false of speech.” As Muslims, we have been ordered to have a good opinion of each other. Mistrusting others is often only a reflection of one’s own wrongdoing. Suspicion as mentioned above is a persistent one, which when not examined is deemed to be a sin. This is quite different from an occasional mistrust and thoughts actually linked to evidence, which one will not be accountable for.
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