DO'S AND DON'TS IN TRADING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

Agricultural products possess unique characteristics that shape their own specific trading ethics. Unlike manufactured goods, agricultural commodities lack uniformity and are perishable. Consequently, managing their trade—from producer to end consumer, from muddy fields to spotless dining tables—presents a distinct challenge. Two aspects are involved here. The physical aspect encompasses harvesting, cleaning, sorting, packaging, storage, and transportation. Meanwhile, the financial-economic aspect involves the offering of goods, price negotiation, reaching agreements, payment, credit arrangements, and so forth.

All of this involves people. From upstream to downstream, numerous transactions and relationships take place. This chain involves, at the very least, farmers, laborers, transport providers, collectors, wholesalers, and consumers. These interactions constitute commercial dealings that require proper regulation. For instance, practices such as gharar (uncertainty/ambiguity), breach of promise, fraud, misinformation, delayed payments, and unpaid debts must be avoided.

Agricultural trade systems tend to be complex and costly due to the nature of how these products are concentrated and then distributed—unlike industrial goods, which follow a purely distributive marketing process. Factors driving up costs include the fact that agricultural products (especially food) are voluminous or bulky, leading to high transport expenses; supplies are small-scale and geographically dispersed; goods are perishable; and product characteristics vary based on specific geographical origins.

Trading to earn a livelihood must be approached with care; beyond involving many people, it entails making offers, skillfully reading situations, and navigating the potential for profit or loss. The following trading ethics are derived from teachings found—whether implicitly or explicitly—in scripture and Hadith, as well as from the direct example set by the Messenger of Allah (SAW).

First: Grounded in the motivation of worship

Fundamentally, all work must be undertaken with the intention of pleasing Allah (lillahi ta’ala). "Indeed, deeds are judged by intentions, and each person shall receive what they intended. Whoever migrates for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, their migration is for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, their migration is for that which they intended." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Every job—and the contribution that job makes to the community's economic system—transcends mere financial gain. Every economic activity inherently contains a social dimension. The value of the goods we purchase often exceeds the price we pay for them. Consider, for instance, someone who is hungry during the workday while carrying out an important assignment for their employer: is a plate of rice and side dishes costing Rp 15,000 truly comparable to the successful completion of their task that day? That lunch, costing only fifteen thousand, might well have enabled them to secure a one-million-rupiah bonus from their company.

The Apostle has given an example. When he first started trading, he was only 12 years old. Rasul traded by following his uncle, Abdul Munthalib, to the land of Sham (Syria). When he was 15-17 years old, Rasul was trading independently, to the point that he became the leader of a group of traders. Until finally, his skills in trading attracted the attention of the rich widow Siti Khadijah. He also married Khadijah and his trading business became increasingly successful. Yes, that is the fruit of a sincere intention. Everything that is intended to seek Allah's approval will definitely make it easier.

Because trading is worship, don't abandon your main worship. Surah Al Jumu'ah verses 9 and 10 always remind us of this: "O you who believe, when you are called to perform prayer on Friday, then hurry to remember Allah and abandon buying and selling. This is better for you if you know. When the prayer has been performed, then scatter on the face of the earth; and seek the grace of Allah and remember Allah a lot so that you may be successful."

Two, be honest and open

The temptation to be dishonest is great in trading. So the Prophet warned: "Indeed, traders (businessmen) will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection as criminals except those traders who fear Allah, do good and are honest." (HR Tirmidhi). Another hadith for example: "Traders are immoral". Among the companions there were those who asked: "O Messenger of Allah, hasn't Allah permitted buying and selling?" Rasulullah answered: "Yes, but they often lie in what they say, they also often swear but their oaths are false" (HR Ahmad).

However, when traders can be honest, that is the key to success. The Apostle has proven it. Rasul is increasingly known for his honesty when trading. He never reduces the measurements on the scales, always says what is true about the condition of the goods, whether there are advantages or disadvantages to the goods. In fact, Rasul often exaggerates the scales to please his consumers. For his honesty, he was awarded the nickname Al-Amin (ie someone who can be trusted).

The Koran emphasizes the importance of honesty in trading. "Perfect the measure and do not be among those who cause harm, and weigh with straight scales. And do not harm people in their rights and do not run rampant on this earth by causing mischief." (AsySyu'araa: 181-183). Other verses that are similar to this, for example, are Ar-Rahmaan verse 9, Al-an'aam verse 152, and Al-israa verse 35.

In line with this, don't make excessive promises and oaths. For example, praising its quality, durability, advantages, etc. Oaths are not good, especially if you swear falsely. Swearing something that you are not sure is true is clearly a lie that Allah hates. Narrated from Abu Hurairah, Rasulullah SAW said: "An oath sells merchandise, but it erases blessings."

In trading, Rasulullah SAW never committed fraud. Narrated from Abu Huraira RA: The Messenger of Allah once passed a pile of food, then he put his hand into it, then his hand touched something wet, so he asked, "What is this, O owner of the food?" The owner replied, "The food was exposed to rainwater, O Messenger of Allah." He said, "Why don't you put it in the food section so that people can see it? Know that whoever cheats is not from our group." (HR. Muslim). In another hadith, the Prophet said: "Whoever cheats, he is not among us. People who commit treason and deception, their place is in hell" (HR. Ibnu Hibban)

In this context, before the sale and purchase agreement is completed, carefully examine the goods to be purchased. Be careful before buying. As narrated by Abu Hurairah RA, Rasulullah S.A.W has prohibited two ways of buying and selling, namely mulamasah (the buyer only touches the item being sold without examining it) and munabazah (ie the buyer throws something at the item being sold without examining it).

Muzabanah is classified as an unclear sale and purchase. This means that merchandise cannot just be appraised, it must be weighed. We still frequently encounter this practice among pengijon—traders who purchase unhusked rice while the crop is still standing in the field, usually one or two weeks before the actual harvest. This practice ought to be stopped immediately.

Muzabanah—such as exchanging fresh dates for dried dates—is prohibited. Because it is difficult to accurately value the goods involved, barter is generally discouraged. A hadith recounts an instance involving the barter of high-quality dates for low-quality ones; the Prophet advised against this. If one wishes to acquire high-quality dates, one should first sell the low-quality ones and use the proceeds to purchase the better quality dates.

However, in one narration, barter is deemed permissible. As long as the commodities are of different types, a disparity in weight or volume is not an issue. Conversely, if the barter involves commodities of the same type, the exchange must be immediate (spot transaction) and the quantities equal; otherwise, it constitutes riba (usury). For example, bartering "Pandan Wangi" rice for a larger quantity of "Raskin" (subsidized) rice is permissible because the goods are of different types. However, bartering goods of the same type requires an immediate, equal exchange. And Allah knows best.

Third: Sell high-quality goods.

Another principle upheld by the Prophet in trade was maintaining the quality of the merchandise. He never sold defective goods, as doing so would disadvantage the buyer and potentially incur sin for the seller. It is narrated by Uqbah bin Amir (RA) that he heard the Prophet say: "A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; it is not lawful for a Muslim to sell defective goods to his fellow Muslim without disclosing the defect" (Narrated by Ibn Majah).

At the same time, disparaging the merchandise of others is also prohibited. When engaging in trade, one should conduct business properly and in accordance with religious law. There is no need to badmouth others' goods simply to drive all consumers toward oneself. This is considered a sin. The Prophet said: "Let no one of you sell with the intention of disreputing what someone else is selling" (HR Muttafaq Alaih).

Fourth, earn a reasonable profit.

We often encounter merchants who sell goods at prices far exceeding their actual cost. They attempt to maximize profits without regard for the consumer's situation. Such unscrupulous practices were never adopted by the Messenger of Allah (SAW).

In contrast, the Prophet (SAW) always sought a fair and reasonable profit. When asked by a buyer about his cost price, he would disclose it with complete honesty. Ultimately, the Prophet’s objective in trading was not merely to pursue worldly gain, but rather to seek blessings from Allah (SWT). "Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter—We increase for him in his harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of this world—We give him thereof, but there is not for him in the Hereafter any share." (Ash-Shura: 20).

Fundamentally, a trade transaction arises from a state of mutual need between two parties; therefore, the transaction should yield mutual benefit. In accordance with the guidance of the Messenger of Allah, trade must be grounded in the principles of mutual need and mutual consent. To achieve this noble objective, one must honestly disclose the condition of the goods and reach a mutual agreement regarding the price, the nature of the goods, and the method of delivery to the buyer. The Messenger of Allah said: "Let no two parties involved in a sale part ways without mutual consent" (Narrated by Ahmad). "Indeed, trade is valid only when based on mutual consent" (Narrated by Ibn Majah).

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