Trade and Business

[Herer]

Trade and Business

 

A person who initiates, plans, guides and organizes the whole business is known as the organizer or the entrepreneur. The whole job of planning and directing any business is also sometimes called organization.

 

In the modern industrial- world, organization plays a very significant part and is regarded as the most important factor of production. It is the entrepreneur who employs other factors of production, i.e., land, labor and capital, in the, right proportions and makes them work in the' best possible way so as to get them maximum productivity with the minimum cost. Entrepreneur is like the captain of a ship, whose function is to steer the ship of industry safely in the harbor of economic prosperity.

 

Importance of planning and organization may be judged from the fact that God Himself is known as the best; organizer. In Surah Al Ahzab it is said that

 

"For us God sufficed, and He is the best Disposer (Organizer) of affairs" (33:48)

 

The word "wakiila", one who manages and looks after other people's affairs or business: The Muslims are in this verse advised to (do their best and then to) entrust their affairs to the care and trustee-ship of God Who is the best Manager and Organizer of affairs. It also implies that, as God is the best Manager and Organizer, He likes His creatures to try to be good organizers of their affairs.

 

The Holy Quran describes in Sura Hud how Prophet Noah was asked to construct the Ark under the guidance and supervision of God:

 

"And make the ark under Our eyes". (XI : 37)

 

There is another reference to this factor of production in Sura Yusuf, when Prophet Yusuf interpreted the dream of the king of Egypt and gave him all the information with regard to the famine, the king brought him back from the prison with honor and dignity in order that he might get advice from him in the affairs of the state. The Prophet Yusuf then asked him if he would appoint him organizer over the affairs of the state in these words.

 

"(Yusuf) said: set me over the store-houses of land, I will indeed guard them well (honestly) as I am a skilled organizer (who knows his job)". (XII: 55)

 

Yusuf in this verse requests the king to appoint him an organizer over the affairs of land on the basis of his two outstanding qualities that knowledge ('aliim) and organizing ability (hafiidz). In fact these are two essential qualities which make a man successful and efficient organizer.

 

In view of the great importance of organization in modern industry, it is absolutely essential that the right type of persons, who are really fit and qualified for the job, should be appointed as organizers. The Holy Quran enjoins the Muslims to be very careful in the appointment of organizers in these words:

 

"Surely God commands you too make over trusts to those worthy of them". (IV: 58)

 

It is indispensable for success and efficiency of work that this job is entrusted to those who are worthy of the responsibility of the office they hold.

 

The emphasis which Islam has laid on the necessity and Importance of organization can be well understood through the study of some of its basic institutions. Just look at the institution of daily prayer and pilgrimage; they cannot be performed without the organizer (Imam). In fact nothing can be done collectively in Islam without the organizer (Imam).

 

The Holy Prophet emphasized the necessity of an organizer in these words (Abu Daud):

 

"When three (or more) persons commence their journey (or some business), appoint one among you the Imam (organizer)".

 

The Holy Prophet is also reported to have said that:

 

"God's hand (of Divinity) is on the organization, he who, separates from it, goes to Hell." (Tirmizi)

 

The words "God's hand is on the organization" are very significant. They clearly indicate that success and prosperity of business would depend to a great extent on the ability and efficiency of the organizer. The nations, who would train and improve the institution of organization, would have the service of the best and the most efficient entrepreneurs and would certainly prosper ; while others, who ignore or neglect this factor of production, would not make much progress and would be left far behind to suffer in poverty and hunger.