Prophet Muhammad’s leadership in trade and commerce offers more than spiritual guidance—it serves as a policy-relevant model of ethical entrepreneurship and a blueprint for Islamic business ethics. Even before his prophethood, Muhammad had extensive experience in long-distance trade, earning recognition for trustworthiness, fairness, and honesty. These values later formed the foundation of Islamic commercial law. As highlighted by Mustakif (2025), his reputation for integrity and reliability provided an enduring ethical framework for markets.
Trade as a Noble Profession
Islamic teachings consistently elevate commerce as a noble and socially valuable profession—but only when practiced ethically. Prophet Muhammad famously said, “Nine-tenths of provision lies in trade” (Mustafa, 2022). His approach encouraged economic participation while embedding accountability. Fraud, deceit, price manipulation, and exploitative gains were condemned, while mutual consent, transparency, and fair pricing were mandated (Sa’idu et al., 2022).
Sustainable Commerce: A Blueprint for Today
Modern scholarship emphasizes that Muhammad’s values form an early model of sustainable economic policy. His teachings on trust (amanah), truthful communication, and justice remain applicable in tackling unethical corporate practices today. For instance, hadith warned against hoarding essential goods, inflating prices, and cheating in weights and measures—issues still relevant in global trade (Adinugraha et al., 2023; Hashim, 2012).
Al-Amīn: The Trustworthy Merchant
Prophet Muhammad earned the title al-Amīn (“the trustworthy”), embodying a balance of moral discipline and entrepreneurial vision. His dual role as a tradesman and later as a legislator ensured that ethical commerce became inseparable from Islamic civilization’s development (Uyuni, 2021; Omer, 2019). Today, these principles influence Islamic finance and shape global debates on responsible business models (Ibrahim & Umar, n.d.).
Key Policy Lessons from Hadith on Business Ethics
Prophet Muhammad’s sayings (hadith) and practices provide a structured ethical framework still relevant for regulators, policymakers, and business leaders:
- Trade as Livelihood – Commerce is recognized as a legitimate, vital source of economic sustenance when pursued with integrity (Mustafa, 2022).
- Ban on Fraud – Deception in weights and measures is explicitly condemned, underscoring transparency in markets (Adinugraha et al., 2023).
- No Hoarding or Price Gouging – Monopolistic behavior and artificial scarcity are forbidden, reinforcing fair access (Sa’idu et al., 2022).
- Honesty in Trade – Ethical merchants are promised high honor in the hereafter, highlighting moral incentives (Shuhaib, 2024).
- Mutual Consent – Business agreements must be based on free will and fairness, echoing principles of modern contract law (Hashim, 2012).
- Condemnation of False Oaths – Traders are warned that deceptive swearing may secure customers but destroys divine blessings (Uyuni, 2021).
Conclusion: Commerce as Moral Policy
Prophet Muhammad’s role as a tradesman demonstrates that commerce is more than economics—it is ethics in action. His legacy provides enduring lessons for policymakers and business leaders: that trade should be grounded in honesty, fairness, accountability, and social responsibility. In an age of global markets and corporate governance challenges, these principles remain a policy compass for sustainable and ethical business worldwide.
