then give up trade; and if you feel that trade is more suitable and more profitable for you, then give up the job.

The two cannot be combined, according to the covenant between you and the state. You know that the state forbids its employees to engage in commerce—so why are you trading?

Allah the Exalted says, “Fulfil your contracts” (Qur’an 5:1), and He says, “Keep the covenant, for every covenant will be questioned about” (Qur’an 17:34).

Some people object, saying, “How can you stop me from trading when there are ministers who speculate in land and own huge companies?” We reply: if people go astray, their going astray is not guidance. If they are misled and unjust in what they do, that is no licence for you to go astray. And if someone argues, “These very rules came from their own hands; they themselves legislated them, so how can they violate them?” we say: their reckoning is with Allah. They will be the first to sorrow and regret what they have done on the Day of Resurrection, when they will have no wealth to ransom themselves, no servants or guards to shield them, and no lineage or kinship to benefit them.

Therefore do not take other people’s violations as proof or a ladder by which to disobey Allah. You must honour the pledge you made to others; even if they break it, that gives you no right to do the same.

We ask Allah to guide us and you, and to make us and you among those who are trustworthy and who discharge the trust owed to Allah and to His servants.

201- Hudhayfah and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah will gather the people together, and the believers will stand until Paradise is brought near to them. They will come to Adam, upon him be peace, and say, ‘O our father, plead that Paradise be opened for us.’ He will reply, ‘And…’”