Ethical Principles of Trade in Islam and Kazakh Tradition

In this chapter, the author presents commerce not merely as an economic activity but as a spiritual trial and a form of devotion. Drawing parallels between Islamic sharia and traditional Kazakh norms, he argues that material gain must be inseparable from moral integrity and spiritual awareness.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is quoted:

“An honest trader will be with the prophets in Paradise,”
 emphasizing that earning a living, when done with sincerity and within divine boundaries, can become an act of worship.

The author adds:

“A Kazakh trader honored his word. Breaking an oath in a transaction was akin to offending the spirits of one’s ancestors.”

This reflects a worldview in which a verbal agreement was sacred, binding not just economically but spiritually — a covenant of trust.

Key topics explored in the chapter include:
 – The etiquette of lending and debt in Islamic tradition
 – Fairness in weights and measures as a symbol of justice
 – The prohibition of riba (usury or unjust profit) as a form of oppression
– Misrepresentation in trade as a moral wrongdoing, not just fraud

Modern financial practices, including interest-based credit and complex banking contracts, are critically examined. The author argues that many of these systems contradict the ethical foundations of Islam and calls for a return to transparent, trust-based commerce.

He writes:

“The riba prohibited in the Quran is not just about interest — it is about unfair advantage. Allah is not against profit; He is against injustice.”

Here, Islamic economics is shown not as anti-profit, but as a model for fairness and social responsibility. In the author’s view, commerce should be a mirror of personal ethics and societal trust.