Abdur Rahman bin Awf (rta): A Generous Businessman

By

Sadaf Azhar 

Abdur Rahman bin Awf (rta) was one of the ten blessed companions who were promised Jannah by the Prophet (sa). An extremely wealthy and astute businessman, he was nevertheless always mindful of his duty towards Allah (swt) and his fellow Muslims.

His character and business acumen

Abdur Rahman bin Awf (rta) was extremely hard working, valued his independence and was a sharp businessman. As a Muhajir, he was in a vulnerable position. It was difficult for a refugee to set up a business because the markets were controlled based upon what they could sell, so some were controlled by Jews and some by tribes that were hostile to Muslims.

It is said that he surveyed the Qainuqa market and started off with what was easiest for him to acquire and then sell- yogurt, butter and dates. He was innovative and would make different recipes like Haith (a mixture of butter, dates and yogurt).

He then invested in horses and traded them and then horse saddles.

There is an anecdote regarding his “Midas touch”. When he was asked about the secret for his success, Abdur Rahman (rta) replied that he never lifted a stone unless he expected to find gold or silver under it. He was able to see trade opportunities everywhere and was able to make successful business decisions.

He did not shy away from hard work or humble beginnings. He had been forced to leave his business behind in Makkah and began trading in Madinah with only 2 or 4 dinars. He didn’t rely on handouts- he had Tawakkul on Allah (swt) and confidence in his own experience and abilities.

Abdul Rahman bin Awf’s (rta) three main business ideas

1. Using Cash: He constantly paid cash for products and sold them for cash. (There were no credit deals)
2. Never stocking or waiting for a greater profit: He avoided storing products and sold them even if he was only paid a penny in profit. This ensured a high degree of cash flow, and the focus was on expanding profits to increase earnings.
3. Always being truthful in his dealings: He never hid any flaws in his products. He told his customer if his goods was not up to par or if there was even a minor flaw in it.

• Soon after beginning his business in Madinah, the Prophet (sa) saw him perfumed, well dressed and happy. The Prophet (sa) asked him the reason for his happiness and he told the Prophet (sa) that he had married. The Rasool (sa) asked him what he gave as bridal gift (Mahr) and he replied that he had given a weight (or block) of gold. The Prophet (sa) then advised him to have a feast for Valima, with even a single sheep, and made Dua for his blessed marriage.
• In an era where racism was rampant, where those who were black and non-Arab were looked down upon, Abdur Rahman (rta) instead felt honored when Bilal (ra) expressed interest in marrying his sister.

He was always productive, working for either his Dunya or his Akhirah. If he wasn’t praying in the Masjid or fighting alongside the Prophet (sa), he was in the marketplace, earning a livelihood.

• Abdur Rahman bin Awf (rta) obeyed the Prophet (sa) completely. He was blessed with a son (Abu Salamah) who studied under Ayesha (rta) and became one of the 7 jurists of Madinah. Abu Salamah played a crucial role in transmitting our Deen- he was the one who asked Ayesha (rta) to describe the prayer of the Prophet (sa). His pious son became a source of perpetual Sadqah for him.
• Despite his wealth and status, you could not distinguish him in a gathering because of his asceticism. Many Ahadith regarding wealth are narrated by him and his life was a practical application of these Prophetic injunctions.
• The Prophet (sa) once asked the Companions: ‘If the treasures of Persia and Rome are opened to you, what kind of people will you become?’ Abdur Rahman (rta) replied: ‘We will be as Allah (swt) commanded us’. The Prophet (sa) refuted: ‘It may be that you will become something else. You will compete with each other, then you will envy each other, then you will hate each other and then you will turn on each other.’ This is one of the reasons why Abdur Rahman (rta) feared greed and practiced generosity. He never let the deception of the world lead him astray.
• Once he was fasting and he was offered food, but he started crying: ‘Hamza (rta) was killed and he did not have enough to eat and to cover except one cloth, Musab (rta) was killed and he had only one garment for his shroud. I am afraid we are amongst those for whom our reward has been hastened in this world.’ He was promised Jannah but he thought of those better than him.
• Once someone served him an extravagant meal and he cried remembering that the Prophet (sa) and his family never once got to eat their fill. This was the result of the fear he had of Allah (swt) holding him accountable for all his blessings and his love for the Prophet (sa).
• He once sold a piece of land for 40,000 Dinar and gave it all away to his tribe, Banu Zohra, and the Mothers of the Believers. Ayesha (rta) remembered that the Prophet (sa) had said that no one will feel compassionate towards you (the Mothers) except the righteous. This is proof of his piety.
• He was the ‘Ameen’ upon the wives of the Prophet sa and Abu Ubaidah was the ‘Ameen’ of the Ummah.
• Despite being the wealthiest man of the Sahabah, Abdul Rahman bin Awf (rta) always kept his priorities in order. He used to say: “I left half of what is Halal, afraid I would accidentally engage in Riba.” For Abdur Rahman (rta), making a large profit paled in comparison to accepting a penny of Haram money.
• When he passed away and left inheritance to be distributed across Madinah, wealthy Sahabah such as ‘Uthman ibn Affan eagerly received the money. When people questioned their desire to receive the money, when they themselves were well off, ‘Uthman ibn Affan replied that the money of Abdul Rahman (rta) was guaranteed to be pure and Halal and that whatever he bought with that money would also be pure and Halal.
• A good businessman diversifies his investments and Abdul Rahman bin Awf (rta) diversified his investments not only in this life, but in the next as well. In addition to his generosity, he personally took part in most of the famous battles of the Prophet ﷺ. He also sat and learned Islam directly from the Prophet ﷺ and became one of the most knowledgeable of the Sahabah. In fact, he was actually given permission to issue fatwa during the life of the Prophet ﷺ.

He was known for his wisdom and was chosen as one of the six members of Shura to decide the Khalifah after the death of Umar (rta). He was always in the Masjid, in the front row, for Salah.

When Umar (rta) was fatally stabbed in Fajr Salah, Umar (rta) pulled the man behind him to finish leading Salah. That person was Abdul Rahman, always standing front and center behind the Imam.

Abdur Rahman bin Awf (rta) was a rich business man who had no love of money, but lived and died a humble and active Momin always eager to please Allah (swt).