We often hear the story of how Islam spread to Malaysia and Indonesia. Rather than by the sword, the Religion of Peace reached these lands by virtue of the moral excellence and lofty character traits displayed by merchants traveling there from the Indian subcontinent, to buy and sell merchandise. People who dealt with them were struck by their honesty, their generosity, and their scrupulous dealings, to the extent that it became plain to them that whatever faith they were on must be the truth.
Of the 'spirituality' connected to Oud, then, is that which must be displayed by us merchants when buying and selling this sacred substance. Unfortunately, the Oud trade is rife with double dealing, deception, cutthroat competition, and at times the ugliest forms of slander meant to discredit any given merchant so as to nib at their market share. Because this is an extremely dangerous practice, I would like to devote this thread to the injunctions of the Holy Quran and Sunnah regarding trade, honesty, spiritual excellence, and all praiseworthy traits that Islam lives to uphold and inculcate.
All of what is to follow is intended as a reminder to myself, first and foremost. Because virtually all Oud merchants that I know of buying and selling in the West are Muslims, I will quote from the Quran and Hadith in the original Arabic wherever possible, so as to preserve the beauty and power of the original. Whoever is interested in the translation can simply enable 'automatic translation' on their browser, or quickly and easily Google the translation into English.
May the beauty, the dignity, the high aspiration and moral excellence of the merchants who brought Islam to Malaysia and Indonesia shine on us, so that we may all be imbued by such traits! Ameen.
This is far more important than the 'other' aspect of buying and selling, which brings only a fleeting and oftentimes highly deceptive benefit.
Of the 'spirituality' connected to Oud, then, is that which must be displayed by us merchants when buying and selling this sacred substance. Unfortunately, the Oud trade is rife with double dealing, deception, cutthroat competition, and at times the ugliest forms of slander meant to discredit any given merchant so as to nib at their market share. Because this is an extremely dangerous practice, I would like to devote this thread to the injunctions of the Holy Quran and Sunnah regarding trade, honesty, spiritual excellence, and all praiseworthy traits that Islam lives to uphold and inculcate.
All of what is to follow is intended as a reminder to myself, first and foremost. Because virtually all Oud merchants that I know of buying and selling in the West are Muslims, I will quote from the Quran and Hadith in the original Arabic wherever possible, so as to preserve the beauty and power of the original. Whoever is interested in the translation can simply enable 'automatic translation' on their browser, or quickly and easily Google the translation into English.
May the beauty, the dignity, the high aspiration and moral excellence of the merchants who brought Islam to Malaysia and Indonesia shine on us, so that we may all be imbued by such traits! Ameen.
This is far more important than the 'other' aspect of buying and selling, which brings only a fleeting and oftentimes highly deceptive benefit.