The universal system that The HUM promotes is composed of parts covering topics such as belief, worship, morals and transactions. One of the topics covered which is essential for establishing relationships between people across the world falls under the category of transactions - more specifically trade and financial dealings.
The HUM promotes the teaching to direct ones efforts to profit from the hereafter rather than the short term earnings in this life. However, human beings are encouraged to trade with one another with mutual consent and warned to stay away from misleading and unfair financial dealings. Furthermore, the principle that trade between parties should be open, free of disagreements, coercion and mutually beneficial is emphasised.
The principles in The HUM governing trade and financial dealings prohibit transactions which are misleading such as false advertising, misrepresentation of the products for sale and exporting of stolen goods. Moreover, selling goods above the market rate, excessive haggling and tampering with products has also been prohibited.
HUM also prohibits the procurement and selling of goods which are detrimental to the health and well-being of humans. In essence, any business practice which misrepresents the goods for sale in terms of price, quality and description has been prohibited and falls in the category of unfair business practice and illegal earnings.
The HUM also provides a legal framework that governs how to deal with violation of its guiding principles regarding trade such as fraud, misleading transactions and unfair business practices. The HUM regards trade as a noble profession and praises those who are honest and fair in their transactions. This is because trade which is conducted in an unfair and misleading manner can affect the prosperity of a community and cause it to degrade in terms of morals.
Trade is central to a community and it is for this reason that the HUM promotes financial dealings that are fair, just and mutually beneficial. A community which engages in such business practices will promote peace, trust and harmony amongst its citizens. Trade should not only be perceived as a transaction for profit but rather as a service for humans and as a means to earn the pleasure of the Creator.
The HUM emphasises that trade between parties should be mutually beneficial and condemns unfair business practices so much so that it labels this as an oppressive movement towards fellow men. The HUM reminds mankind to remember his Creator whilst engaging in financial dealings as it is He who has provided him the opportunity to earn a livelihood.
The exemplar of the HUM, the final Prophet in his lifetime has encouraged trade and he himself was actively involved with it prior to his prophethood. The final Prophet has stated: ‘The best profit is the one earnt by ones ‘honest effort’ and ‘the best trader is the one who pays his debt in due time and requests his goods in a pleasant manner, whilst the worst trader is the one who does not pay his debt on time and is ill mannered whilst requesting his goods’. The Prophet has encouraged ease when trading, and is known to have said: ‘Those who make buying or selling easy for people, will receive ease and Mercy from their Creator’. Furthermore he has encouraged the lender to be forgiving towards the debtor if they are struggling to make repayments and announced that there is great merit for the one who remits the borrowed amount. On the contrary he has warned against fraud, false advertising, misrepresentation of products and tampering with products to promote them in a manner which is inaccurate.
The HUM reminds us that just like in any aspect of our lives, whilst trading we need to abide by the principle of: ‘Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you’.
In conclusion, the principles of The HUM regarding trade and financial dealings are there to ensure fair and mutually beneficial business practices that promote peace and harmony - not just between the buyer and seller but also the wider community.
