The Role of Islam in Protection of Consumer Rights
Islam is a
complete code of life, which protected rights of consumes through the Shari’a
Law on trade and commerce mechanism. Islamic Economic System is different from
others as it prohibits some types of trade and provides specific principles for
lawful trade and commerce.
Quran is the divine revelation by Allah almighty through angel Gabriel to
Muhammad (SAW). Although revealed about fourteen and half centuries ago, It is
regarded as the most effective and efficient doctrine of consumer protection.
Islam arrived in Sub Continent in 7th century AD and played the most
important part in the consumerism of subcontinent.
In 624 AD, one of the disciples of Muhammad (SAW), Malik Bin Deenar, came
to Kerala (India) and started trading with locals in a way that was new and
welcoming to them, the way trading with honesty, ethics and general concern for
consumer. The locals, inspired by Malik Bin Deenar, informed the local king
Cheraman Perumal. King summoned Malik Bin Deenar to understand why his
practices of trade were different from local traders. In response, Malik Bin
Deenar said that he was a follower of Islam and all his honesty and ethics in
trade was due to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
According to historians, king Perumal was so impressed by the principles of
Islam that he became the first person in subcontinent to convert as a muslim
and left for Hajj in Makkah.
For a Businessman, Islam has emphasized that there is no other way than to
satisfy a consumer. He has to satisfy the consumer even if the market forces to
drive down the profits. Profit are just the means to keep the business alive,
in the end the consumer should always be satisfied. Quran is also very
particular about contracts. It is said in Quran,
"The almighty says... O you who believe! Fulfill your contracts".(5:1)
The standardization of measurements and weights is also addressed in Quran
as follows,
"Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a balance that is
straight; that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final
determination."(17:35)
These days, when it is common practice to
artificially manipulate prices, it should be noted that Quran does not allow
the storage of food and grains over 40 days for the purpose of increasing
prices. It is astonishing that Quran and Islam addressed the consumer rights about
fourteen and half centuries ago and introduced the concepts of standardization
and calibration of measures. Contract law was also emphasized in Quran for
protection of consumers and accountability of macroeconomic system of a
country.
Fundamental principles of
Islamic Economic System:
Fundamental principles of
Islamic Economic System are:
·
Earning by Halal means: Muslim are not allowed to earn and spent in any way they like. They must
follow some rules in this regard. (a). Any earning from the production, sale
and distribution of alcoholic drinks are unlawful as are earning from gambling,
lotteries and from interest (Riba) transactions. (5:90-91, 2:275)
(b). Earning
by falsehood, deceit, fraud, theft, robbery is unlawful. (2:188, 4:2)
(c). Hoarding of foodstuff and basic necessities,
smuggling and the artificial creation of storages are unlawful. (3:180,
9:34-35)
(d). Earning from brothels and from such other
practices which are harmful to society are also unlawful. (24:23)
·
Liberty of individual: In Islamic system a Muslim has liberty to earn in any lawful means. Islam
does not interfere with the freedom of speech, work and earning of an
individual provided this freedom is not against the principles of Islam. Every
individual will be answerable to Allah (swt.) for his or her actions. (4:7, 36:71, 16:111)
·
System of Zakah: Compulsory payment of Zakah is one of the basic pillar of Islam and one of
the main principles of Islamic Economic System. Every Muslim who owns wealth
more than his needs must pay the fix rate of Zakah.
·
Prohibition of interest (Riba): Interest is neither a trade nor a profit. Islam
prohibits all transactions involving interest. The Quran says: “They say, trade
is like interest and Allah has allowed trade and prohibited interest.” (2:275)
From the above discussion we can say that consumer
rights is protected in Islam.
Written By-
Md. Manjur Hossain Patoari
Lecturer, Dept. of Law, International Islamic
University Chittagong. Cell:
01812-378390
Moderator In Blog-
A.S.M.Mamun
Hossain, Advocate and CEO-Lawyersheaven Group