The news on Thursday, February 6

1. Mr. Shabani’s Dinner with Merchants and Export Mentors at Esteghlal Hotel, Tehran

🕰 1 minute

2. Special Podcast for Newcomers

3. Special Article for Newcomers

4. Shaʽban Festival as told by Mr. Ghorbani

🕰 54 minutes

5. Dress Code Etiquette in Meetings

🕰 11 minutes

6. Arad Visual documentation

🕰 1 minute

Send documents to T.me/Arad102

7. Arad Branding's International Offices in Egypt, Nigeria, and Gambia

🕰 1 minute

Form to use the capacity of foreign offices

8. Russian Business Delegation at Arad Branding

🕰 2 minutes

The writer firmly believes that next year, we will have numerous business gatherings, God willing, and all of these will lead to the exponential growth of Aradi traders. This is something I will respond with, "There is no doubt in this."

When Mr. Ghorbani mentioned this in his meeting, he pointed out that the year 1404 will unfold in such a way that films and photos from 1403 and earlier will seem small and insignificant. I was in that meeting and said, "I confirm," without even knowing what would happen because every promise I’ve heard so far has come true.

But all of that aside, the most exciting gift the senior managers have given to Aradi traders is that they have organized and made promotions routine in 1403. Now, they have a lot of free time, which they plan to spend with the traders.

I believe all the services and offers of the festival are great, but the real occasion is the proximity and companionship of senior managers with Aradi traders.

If I were an Aradi trader, I would attend the festival solely with the intention of being in the company of these great people.

A person approached Imam Sadiq and asked about this verse:

"Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him]." Surah Al-Ma'idah verse 27

The Imam replied, "It means that if a person performs a good deed but is not considered righteous by God, God will not accept their deed."

If you recall, a few days ago, I mentioned that at the beginning of the Qur'an, God says:

"This is the Book of Allah, there is no doubt in it; it is a guidance for the pious." Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 2

Very clearly, it means: "O dear one, if you wish to read this book and seek guidance, if you are not righteous, then don’t bother.

This book will have no benefit in terms of guidance for you, whether you want to read it for entertainment or to find beautiful words and discover the miracle of your Creator, which is a separate discussion."

The person happily asked: “So, do all our deeds as Muslims get accepted?”

The Imam replied: “It is not as you have assumed.”

Then, he recited this verse:

"Indeed, those who believed then disbelieved, then believed and again disbelieved—only increasing in disbelief—Allah will neither forgive them nor guide them to the Right Way." Surah An-Nisa verse 137

This verse was revealed about the Muslims, those who believed in God and His Prophet, but after that, they disbelieved in Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, then later believed in Ali ibn Abi Talib again and then disbelieved in his children. God will not forgive them and there is no way for them to be guided.

And this is the word of God who said:

"For surely many of them are transgressors." Surah Al-Ma'idah verse 49

Now, an odd sadness appeared on the man's face and he said: “Then, is there no hope for Heaven?”

The Imam replied: “It is never like that. Have you not seen a noble person being invited to a gathering, and he brings along others with him?”

He said: “Yes, I have seen that.”

The Imam asked: “Does the host prevent the companions of the guest from entering?”

He replied: “If the host is generous, no, but if he is stingy or the venue is limited, then yes, he would prevent them.”

The Imam asked: “How did you find your Lord?”

He said: “He is more noble and generous than any noble or generous person, and His banquet place is limitless.”

The Imam then asked: “So, if someone is with a righteous person, even if they themselves are not righteous, will they be allowed into His Heaven?”

The man replied: “Certainly, as you say, my master.”

The Imam said: “This is the interpretation of the words of God, which say:

"O believers! Be mindful of Allah and be with the truthful." Surah At-Tawbah verse 119

Your Lord has first commanded you to be righteous so that your deeds may be accepted.

But since He knows that most of you are not righteous, He has commanded you to be in the company of the truthful, so if you are not shown mercy because of your righteousness, then because of your companionship with the truthful, He will have mercy on you and admit you into your Heaven.

Woe to the one who neither practices righteousness nor accompanies the righteous and truthful in their life.

This principle applies in all aspects of life.

Look carefully and you’ll see why most actors have children who also become actors?

Why do most religious panegyrists have children who also become religious panegyrists?

Because these children are with their parents day and night, and this companionship shapes them into what they become.

Now, as senior managers have decided to spend the year 1404 in the company and companionship of those present at the festival, it would be a shame to miss out on this opportunity.

10. Everyone becomes a trader, without a doubt.

I will narrate a few traditions from our great Imams. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of these, first go and search for them on the internet to make sure, and then continue reading.

The first narration is about engaging in trade. Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the Commander of the Faithful, said: "Present yourself to trade, for it will make you independent of what is in the hands of people."

Also, the blessed Imam (peace be upon him) said: "Engage in trade so that Allah blesses you. I myself heard from the Messenger of Allah, who said many times, 'sustenance is divided into ten parts, nine of which are in trade.'"

I have a question for you, dear ones.

Is it that if you engage in trade, you will become independent, or that you will be blessed by Allah and reach nine-tenths of wealth? Did the Prophet and the Imams put any conditions?

For example, is it mentioned that if a merchant does not pray, or is not a Muslim at all, they will not benefit, or is the statement unconditional?

Do you see any conditions or exceptions in the narration or the words of the infallible that would make someone say, "Since I don't belong to this group, I will not benefit from these promises"?

There is no condition.

That means, anyone, regardless of their condition, ethnicity, or religion, who stays in trade, will become a merchant. There are no exceptions.

This is the word of the Messenger of Allah, and this is also what we can clearly see in Arad, where we can observe the very promise of the Prophet and Imam.

For instance, someone may say that to become a merchant, one must be smart.

Respectfully to all of you, I know traders in Arad who, on the first day, were less intelligent than algae, but today, by the grace of trade, they have become smart and even export goods.

Or someone may say that to succeed in trade, one must work very hard.

I know lazy traders in Arad who are very sluggish but still make sales, and it’s hard to believe.

Or someone might say, to become a merchant, one must be obedient and compliant.

I have seen many comments, and even just yesterday, I came across two examples where someone wrote that they weren’t obedient or compliant at all, but after doing a few trades, they realized they had to be obedient and compliant.

So, as the infallibles (peace be upon them) have said, there is no condition to becoming a merchant.

Anyone who enters, becomes a merchant.

This is a divine promise, and it has nothing to do with trade.

If you look at any of the traditions of the Prophets, they are all the same.

We are in the blessed month of Sha'ban, and after our midday prayers, we recite Salawat Sha'baniyah.

In one of the phrases of this special prayer, it says:

"O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

Like the ships sailing in the deep, turbulent oceans.

Whoever boards it is safe.

And whoever abandons it drowns.

Those who go ahead of them have gone astray.

And those who lag behind them are doomed.

And those who stay with them reach their goal."

Do you see any condition or exception in this valuable statement?

No.

Whoever boards it is saved, and whoever abandons it drowns, without any condition.

Wahab ibn Abdullah Ansari was a Christian.

Zuhayr ibn al-Qayn was a follower of the Sunni school.

Al-Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi was the commander of Yazid's army.

They joined Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and attained salvation, and today we say to them, "May my father and mother be devoted to you."

On the other hand, many Quran reciters, prostrating with marks on their foreheads and hands full of large rings and prayer beads, separated their path from the Prophet and his family, took another route, and fell into the pit of disgrace and humiliation.

If you follow any of the traditions of the Messenger of Allah, it is the same—it leads a person to happiness, even if non-believers who do not believe in God follow it.

And if you abandon any of the traditions of the Messenger of Allah, you will bring misery and pain upon yourself, even if you fast during the days and pray at night.

And there is no condition or exception in this saying.

So, whoever stays in trade becomes a merchant, becomes independent, becomes someone of goodness and blessing. There is no doubt about this.

On the contrary, what happens if we abandon trade?

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said:

"Do not abandon trade, for you will become humiliated and low."

Abandoning trade is abandoning dignity.

Abandoning trade is the command of Satan.

Abandoning trade diminishes your intellect.

All of these are the consequences of abandoning trade.

Here, too, there are no conditions.

You cannot say, "I am a Quran reciter and a worshiper, so if I abandon trade, I will not become humiliated." It is not like that at all.

Have you heard of a country that is more Quranic, more devoted to Ahlul-Bayt and religious gatherings than Iran?

We Iranians abandoned trade, and our currency became the most worthless currency in the world.

Do you know what it means when your currency is the most worthless currency in the world?

It means that wherever you go in the world, and you show your money, people will not give you any respect.

Have you heard them say, "This item isn’t even worth a penny"?

Penny is a term used for something worthless.

Exactly like our currency, which has the same value as a penny in the eyes of the world.

Iranians living abroad understand my words better. They know that outside of Iran, the more you try to hide your Iranian identity, the more successful you will be.

If they find out you're Iranian, aside from considering you among terrorists, they also look down upon you economically because "they hold the record for having the most worthless currency in the world."

We, who read so much Quran.

We, who are broken from how much we prayed.

We, who are dried up from how much we fasted.

We, who attend religious gatherings a lot.

We have shed many tears for Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).

Why are we so humiliated and miserable?

The answer is simple.

Even if the Imam Mahdi comes, he will say very easily because you have abandoned trade.

The Imam did not state that if someone abandons trade but is a person of prayer, they will not be humiliated.

Just as he did not mention any condition that if someone does not pray, they will not become a trader.

Anyone who takes trade seriously becomes a trader and gains respect, even if they do not pray.

Anyone who abandons trade becomes humiliated and degraded, even if they pray at night.

But if you engage in trade and read the Quran and pray, it becomes excellent.

Some of the interpretations I share are based on my personal opinion, but my heart assures me that the senior managers share the same view.

The reason why they firmly say that we will reach the first place in global trade could be because if we engage in trade while reading the Quran, praying, and giving charity, we will certainly surpass them.

The reason we lagged behind them in the past was simply because we had abandoned trade altogether.

Zero multiplied by any number is zero.

Now that we, the people of Arad, have turned to trade, while also being people of the Quran, prayer, and charity, we will certainly defeat foreigners in trade, and I say this with full hearted certainty and belief.

11. The Devil That Misleads.

The infallible Imam says unconditionally that if you engage in trade, you will become self-sufficient.

Enter trade, and you will find security.

Here is where the devil begins to speak to you.

Now, whether it’s from within yourself, or from your spouse, your father, your mother, your child, your friend, or anyone close to you.

Something like this: "Yes, it’s true that money is in trade, but you won’t become a trader.

These words are not meant for you.

You won’t become someone who does such things.

You won’t reach these heights."

Say, "O cursed devil, when my Imam has not placed any conditions and said that anyone who enters trade will be saved, why do you want to exclude me and say I will not succeed?"

The blind became traders.

The paralyzed and handicapped became traders.

Workers and employees became traders.

The uneducated became traders.

Those whose appearance is considered a means of atonement for sins became traders.

Anyone who came and stayed became a trader. Why do you want to make me believe that I cannot become one?

Isn’t this to mislead me?

Isn’t this to keep me in poverty so that 700 sins can be placed upon me?

Isn’t this to keep me in poverty and lead me to disbelief?

Throw the stones (Rami Jamarat), O dear one who has just become familiar with trade.

Don’t know what Rami Jamarat is?

Rami means throwing.

Jamarat means throwing stones seven times.

Pick up seven stones and throw them at the satanic beliefs that say you cannot become a trader.

If seven throws don’t work, throw seventy times, seven hundred times, seven thousand times, until they are gone.

Remember the Children of Israel, when God told them to bring a cow and sacrifice it to fulfill their wish.

Any cow they brought would have been accepted.

God only wanted one cow to be sacrificed. That’s it.

"And then recall when Moses said to his people: Behold, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow." Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 67

At first, they did not believe, and they said, "Moses, are you mocking us?"

Compare this story with inviting people to trade.

We tell people to engage in trade to become self-sufficient and saved.

At first, they don’t believe, and they say, "Are you mocking us?"

They said, "Are you jesting with us?"

He said, "I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant." Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 67

This means mocking and wasting time, doing pointless things is the work of the ignorant, and I, Moses, am not ignorant.

And once the Children of Israel changed their words and said something else, they showed that they knew Moses was not ignorant.

But did they easily sacrifice the cow?

They began making countless excuses.

Just like when someone agrees to trade, the story begins with questions like "Which product?"

And it takes six months just to decide which product to choose.

"They said, “Call upon your Lord to clarify for us what type of cow it should be!" Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 68

What should Moses say when they won’t give up?

Until He clarifies the cow’s specifics, they won’t sacrifice it.

Until six months pass, they won’t begin trade.

It’s impossible to say, "It doesn’t matter what business you start, you’ll succeed."

No, you must waste your time like the Children of Israel.

Now, you choose your product.

Do these people’s excuses end here?

They said, “Call upon your Lord to specify for us its colour." Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 69

So they pick their product, and still, more questions follow, delaying the trade just like killing the cow.

Be fair and begin trade without getting entangled in these Children of Israel-like questions.

"No, I won’t start until the color of my product is chosen and my supply is clear."

Here, Moses had to give them the cow's color.

Now, did they sacrifice the cow with the specifics Moses gave them?

No, my dear.

Keep going.

He asks such intricate questions about trade until it reaches a point where it seems entirely unique to him, and no one else will have the same type of trade.

And how much Moses suffered at the hands of the Children of Israel.

Exactly, business owners who invite people to trade understand what I mean.

After they exhausted Moses with their questions, they said:

"Now we have found the truth." Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 71

After all the complicated questions, they finally agreed, saying, "Now we accept that this path of trade is the right one."

Now the question is: Do these people, who claim to have found the truth, actually engage in trade?

Forget about those who were not convinced by Moses's answers.

Because all those who questioned Moses didn’t accept the idea of sacrificing the cow.

Only a small group followed Moses to the end.

Now the question is: What happened to this small group who said, "We have found the truth"?

"Yet they still slaughtered it hesitantly." Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 71

Most of you, after questioning and exhausting the business owners and consultants who invited you to trade, entered into trade, but deep down, you know that you almost didn’t.

It’s like you were just waiting for a small excuse to back out and say, "Oh, because they were too harsh or didn’t speak the way I liked, I won’t trade."

These are the excuses of the Children of Israel.

And how beautifully Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) said: "Whoever wants to do something will find the way, and whoever doesn’t want to, will find an excuse."

We wrote this with love for all the business owners and consultants who invite people to trade, asking them only to invest as much as it would take to sacrifice a cow, or even less, to succeed in this world and the hereafter. However, most people do not accept.

I pray that the reward Allah granted to Prophet Moses for enduring the excuses of the Children of Israel regarding the sacrifice of a cow be granted to all of you who invite people to trade. Yet, most do not accept, and those who do, make it difficult for you.

Amen, O Lord of the worlds.