conduct in finance and business
Editorial introduction
A single coin earned by honest craft, Bahá’u’lláh says, is dearer to God than a treasure gathered wrongfully. From that measure flows a whole ethic of commerce: neither defraud your neighbour nor let him defraud you; allow for the profit of others and not only your own; set out each partner’s role, income and expenses so plainly that no room for dispute remains; keep a daily account book; and trade in such a way that neither profit gladdens nor loss grieves. Trustworthiness is tested first at home, with one’s own household and associates, before it can be believed in the marketplace. Leviticus had already placed honest weights and measures among the obligations owed to God, so that the ordinary tools of exchange became instruments of fidelity [1]. Business, seen this way, is a field in which trust becomes visible to everyone who deals with us. The journey continues into honesty and truthfulness as the capital no ledger records, into the status of material wealth and the distance between wealth and poverty, and into the public damage done by bribery and corruption.
Likewise, We have enjoined upon all to engage in some occupation. Blessed is he who beareth burdens but causeth none to bear his own. Let him engage in craft and profession - a single coin earned thereby is, in the sight of God, more beloved than the treasure that is gathered unrightfully and made ready.
For instance, in their business and commerce, [they must] allow for the profit of others and not just focus on their own gain.
If a partnership is formed in commerce or in business and craft, from the beginning it should be made firm and solid. Everyone's role should be clear and evident, and income and expenses should be specified, so that there remains no room for dispute. When all accept with firm conditions and orderly arrangement, God willing no trouble will arise. Or they should not become partners from the start - each one should attend to his own work and engage in whatever is feasible, and day and night turn to God and trust in God and seek assistance and blessing from the Divine Threshold.
The friends of God must deal with each other with the utmost trustworthiness and religiosity, and whoever falls short in this regard has turned away from the counsels of the Blessed Beauty and from the divine exhortations. If a person does not deal with his household and associates with complete trustworthiness and religiosity, then no matter how honestly and faithfully he may deal with strangers, it will remain fruitless and without result. First, internal dealings must be set in order, then external matters may be addressed.
But conduct your trade and business with wisdom and thought.
A small business with a steady income is better than the wild, helter-skelter speculations of the financiers.
A business man must be satisfied with a limited amount of success. If he goes beyond the danger mark he will bring upon himself either complete ruin or invite the displeasure of the public for his greed and rapacity which is equally ruinous if not to his fortune - to his character.
O Abu'l-Hasan! Engage in trade in such wise that neither shall its profit gladden thee nor its loss grieve thee. Be content in all conditions with what has been ordained for thee from the Pen of God, the Guardian, the Self-Subsisting....
The best capital and the most profitable business is honesty in all things. Do thou continue to be honest in thy dealings for one month. Thou wilt see in the end that thou art honored and respected by all thy customers, and not considering thy spiritual welfare, thy material prosperity will be secured.
Riches earned by personal effort with divine assistance, in various trades, agriculture and the arts, and rightly administered, are justly deserving of praise, forasmuch as if a wise and discerning man acquires them, they become a ready means of benefit to the state.
When His Honor Amin hastened to this region, he mentioned the company of the Parsee friends, that these souls have engaged in this company with trustworthiness, religiosity, and sincerity and with the utmost zeal, and their purpose is to serve the world of humanity and to attain blessings.
As to helping one another, this refers to the various pursuits of life, as commerce, trade, professions, etc. In whatsoever of these a believer is in need of help, that help should be rendered.
Whenever a believer dies and leaves behind debt, the friends of God must exert themselves to pay it off. If he has left some property or real estate they may dispose of it in the best possible manner and meet the indebtedness of the deceased; if not, each person may contribute something toward a general fund and thus silence the creditors. This is the imperative duty of the believers.
As long as bribery and corruption remain the attribute of every eminent person - meaning officials and administrators - success and prosperity are impossible and unattainable.
Those who are employed in government offices must conduct themselves with utmost detachment, purity, freedom, chastity and virtue, being content with their wages. They must not stain their pure garment through bribery and corruption. Today if a single soul among the friends should, God forbid, take even a penny unlawfully, the pure hem of the Cause of God would be sullied and it would bring disgrace upon all.
And if they should commit any wrongdoing or accept any bribes, they become detested at the divine threshold and incur the wrath of the Abha Beauty, and the Truth and the people of truth become disgusted with them. Rather, they should be content with their stipend and wages, pursue the path of faithfulness, and sacrifice their lives for king and country.
O Rustam-i-Dastan! The Covenant Partnership is a manifestation of the favors of the All-Merciful and the recipient of endless bounties. It is hoped that, as befitting and proper, you may become the dawning-place of great signs and become renowned throughout all regions for your excellence in business dealings, religious devotion and trustworthiness. I pray for you and beseech for you a share and portion from His endless bounties. And upon you be the Most Glorious Glory.
Based on these proofs and evidences, it would be fitting and proper for those friends of truth to unite, all four of them, and rent a spacious shop, gathering therein whatever copper each possesses, recording in a ledger how much belongs to each, and keeping a daily account book. At the end of each month they should balance the shop's income and expenses, and spend these remaining days in the utmost joy and fragrance beneath the shadow of the Beauty of the All-Merciful, occupied day and night in remembrance of God in their hearts and souls in thanksgiving for this supreme blessing.
There was a Persian by the name Gassem who came from the town of Neyreez. … He was an expert tobacco-trader and anxious to settle in business.
… He wished to buy 160 bales of tobacco and he did not have one cent with himself nor did he have anyone to recommend him.
… When this merchant in Beirut was assured of this fact, he helped Gasem in buying tobacco and did not even ask him of his notes. Then Gasem carried the tobacco to Jerusalem where he sold it for a good profit and sent the capital to the merchant in Beirut.
Not a long time ago I knew a merchant who exported a great deal of wheat. Once he had a car[go] on the sea with 6000 pounds Sterling wheat in it. One morning while he was sitting in his office, busy with his mercantile affairs he received a cabl[e] to the effect that a storm had arisen, sinking his valuable cargo of wheat[.] He did not manifest the least trace of worry or perturbation in his face. In his calm, most matter of fact tone he turned to his clerk and handing him the cable he said: 'Note this on the debit of loss and contingencies' and resumed his work.
For thought and discussion