Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that when Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was near his death, he said: Look into my wealth and see how much it has increased after I assumed the caliphate, and send it to the caliph after me. Indeed, I considered it lawful, and as much wealth as I earned through trade, I have animals of approximately the same value with me. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that when we looked, there was a Nubian slave (that is, one whose eyes were not sound and who could not see properly) who was carrying his children, and there was a she-camel on which water used to be brought. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that we sent all this to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that my grandfather told me that Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) began to weep and said: May Allah have mercy on Abu Bakr, he has put those who come after him into hardship.

Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said that if this buying and selling did not take place, you would have become a burden on the people.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was the greatest merchant among the Quraysh.

Hazrat Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) says that before the Prophethood of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), I used to do business. When the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent as a Prophet, I intended to combine business and worship, but I was not able to do so. So I left business and devoted myself to worship.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin (may Allah have mercy on him) states that I have been informed that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was a prominent merchant of the Quraysh.

Hazrat Abu Wa'il (may Allah be pleased with him) says that a dirham earned through trade is more beloved to me than ten dirhams received as a gift.

The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever gathers lawful worldly wealth in order to avoid begging, to provide for his family, and to show kindness and gentleness to his neighbor, such a person will meet Allah in a state that his face will be shining like the full moon of the fourteenth night. And whoever gathers lawful wealth with the intention of amassing riches and showing off, such a person will meet Allah in a state that Allah will be displeased with him.

Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Three journeys have been prescribed for you: for Hajj and Umrah, for striving in the path of Allah, and for a man to seek Allah’s bounty with his wealth through one of these ways of trade. I prefer seeking Allah’s bounty in this way over dying on my bed, and if I were to say that this is martyrdom, then indeed I see it as martyrdom.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said to Hazrat Amr (may Allah be pleased with him): O Amr! Put on your clothes and fasten your weapons, then come to me. Hazrat Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I put on my clothes and fastened my weapons, then I presented myself before the Prophet and found him performing ablution. The Prophet looked me over from head to toe, then lowered his gaze, and then said: I want to send you to a place where Allah Almighty will grant you safety and spoils of war. I will also give you some of that wealth. Hazrat Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I submitted: O Messenger of Allah! I did not accept Islam out of desire for wealth; I accepted Islam for the sake of jihad and to be with you. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: O Amr! Pure wealth is very good for a righteous person.

Hazrat Muhammad bin Wasi’ al-Azdi (may Allah have mercy on him) says that this wealth is lawful only in four cases: a share from the spoils of war of the Muslims, from trade of lawful wealth, or if a Muslim brother gives it willingly as a gift, or from the share of inheritance prescribed by Allah.

It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that a caravan of mules arrived in Madinah carrying merchandise. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) purchased from it, and some extra silver remained. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) distributed it among the needy of Banu Abdul Muttalib and said: "I do not wish to purchase anything for which I do not have the price with me."

Hazrat Abu Qalabah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to encourage adopting a profession, and said that wealth is a part of well-being.

Hazrat Mujahid, in the commentary of the Holy Qur'an verse { أَنْفِقُوا مِنْ طَیِّبَاتِ مَا کَسَبْتُمْ }, states that it refers to trade.