The news on Monday, December 30

1. Special Podcast for Newcomers

2. Special Article for Newcomers

3. The Most Important Step Most of You Don’t Know

🕰️ 56 minutes

4. Arad Branding in 60 Seconds

🕰️ 1 minute

5. Niger Representative at Arad Branding Supply Factories

🕰️ 1 minute

6. Senegal Representative with Aradi Traders

🕰️ 6 minutes

7. Why Don’t God’s Promises Work?

Two days ago, we published a piece about the effects of giving loans and God's promise of multiplying the sustenance of those who lend generously. However, some comments disagreed, with individuals stating that they had lent money, but instead of receiving God’s promised blessings, they faced hardships.

This issue is not limited to loans; it extends to many divine promises, such as trade, which God has declared as a source of nine-tenths of sustenance, as well as charity, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and more.

To resolve this doubt, I will first share a narration from Imam Reza (AS). A group of people from Medina approached him with a similar question:

"O Abul-Hasan, how is it that we act upon God’s promises, rely on them, and yet, we see no fulfillment of His promises?"

Imam Reza (AS) responded:

"Glory be to God! The Lord of the Worlds is far above giving promises and not fulfilling them." Then, he recited the verse:

“Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.” Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 9

The Imam further explained:

"God has set specific boundaries and conditions for every obligation He has commanded, every recommended act He has emphasized, and every righteous deed for which He has promised rewards.

People hear the command and act upon it, but they ignore the boundaries and conditions set by God for those deeds. Consequently, they see no results."

The questioners, confused, asked:

"O son of the Messenger of God, can you elaborate further on what you mean?"

Imam replied:

"What do you think of someone who prays but does not adhere to the proper sequence, or who performs three units for the Fajr prayer instead of two, and two units for the Maghrib prayer instead of three?"

They said: "It is invalid."

The Imam continued:

"What about someone who fails to fast during Ramadan but observes it in Muharram, Safar, or any other month instead?"

They replied: "It is not acceptable."

The Imam said: "What do you think of someone who performs their Hajj al-Tamattu' (set of rituals in the city of Mecca) during days other than those specified by God for it, which are in Dhul-Hijjah?"

They said: "It is not accepted from them."

Imam Reza (AS) concluded: "You see, every act has specific boundaries and conditions. Stepping outside of these limits invalidates the act, leaving no reward or benefit."

The people replied: "Yes, O son of the Messenger of God, we understand. But we would like more examples to clarify further."

Imam said: "The same applies to someone who gives charity but does not observe its proper order."

They asked: "Does charity also have an order?"

The Imam said: "Yes, where God said:

'They ask thee what they should spend [In charity]. Say: Whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good, -Allah knoweth it well.' Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 215

If someone gives charity to their relatives while their parents are in need of it, they have failed to maintain the correct order, and thus, God does not accept their charity.

Or someone who takes an orphan under their care while there are needy individuals among their close relatives who should have been given precedence. Yet, they prefer the orphan over their own kin, and such an act is not accepted from them.

And sometimes people give charity to individuals in other cities while there are needy people in their own city. God does not count their charity because they did not follow His command but acted according to their own desires, giving to those they preferred. How can they then expect a reward from God?"

They said: "O son of the Messenger of God, you have explained an important matter to us. Please elaborate further."

This part of the narration deserves special attention from those who claim they lent money and ended up worse off.

The Imam (AS) continued:

"Or consider someone who lends money to another person without documenting it in writing by a scribe."

The audience was astonished and asked: "Is it necessary to have a scribe write it down when lending money?"

The Imam replied: "Not only must a scribe write it down, but two just witnesses must also be present, as commanded by God, who said:

'O ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties.'

'And you should call two witnesses from among your men.' 

'So that if one of the two forgets, the other may remind him.'

And God also said:

'And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a security deposit [should be] taken.' 

Then Imam (AS) said: "So anyone who lends money and does not fulfill these boundaries and conditions is acting in a manner different from what God has prescribed for lending. As a result, there will be no reward for them, nor any guarantee of repayment."

The audience asked: "It may be true that they won’t recover it in this world, but won’t they receive it back in the Hereafter?"

The Imam replied: "Who will revive their claim on the Day of Judgment?"

They said: "God."

The Imam said: "On the Day of Judgment, God will summon anyone who claims a debt and will ask for their scribe, the written document, and the two witnesses.

If they produce them, God will fulfill their right. But if they fail to provide these, their claim will not be examined. A herald will announce: 'You lent money in the manner of the ignorant, so do not expect justice from your Lord.'

Then the Imam (AS) said: "However, there is an exception in this matter, and that is between two believing brothers who are trustworthy with each other."

'And if one of you entrusts another, then let him who is entrusted discharge his trust [faithfully] and let him fear Allah, his Lord.'

They asked: "Then can we argue that since we entrusted someone, we did not write it down or take witnesses, and we will still be creditors on the Day of Judgment?"

The Imam replied: "No, because a herald will announce: 'It was your own mistake to assume that a dishonest person would act as a trustworthy one.'

God only grants justice to those who act according to His prescribed boundaries and conditions."

The verses mentioned in this narration are 282 and 283 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with verse 282 being the longest verse in the Qur'an.

Now, to those who claim they lent money and ended up worse off: examine your lending practices. You will find that you did not fulfill its boundaries and conditions. If someone insists they did, and yet claim they were ruined, I confidently say they are lying—because I know my Lord well, and I know those who falsely accuse His promises equally well.

8. The Promise of Trade Works the Same Way.

God has made a similar promise regarding trade: sustenance is divided into ten parts, and nine of those are in trade.

These individuals hear the promise but ignore the boundaries and conditions attached to it. As a result, the promise is not fulfilled for them.

Then they accuse God and His Messenger of being untruthful, rather than admitting they heard the promise but failed to adhere to its conditions.

The same God who placed nine-tenths of wealth in trade said through His messengers: "First comes deep understanding and learning, then trade."

These people pay no attention to learning about trade.

They neither attend business schools, listen to podcasts, nor engage with the articles and videos on the website and channels.

The same God who placed wealth in trade said: "A fearful trader will be deprived, while a courageous trader will have abundant sustenance."

Yet, they are full of fear, overflowing with doubt and suspicion.

The same God who made trade a source of honor for Muslims said: "One who does not show gratitude to My creation has not shown gratitude to Me, and those who are ungrateful will face severe consequences from God."

These individuals are passionate about money and trade, but their tone makes it clear they have no love or respect for Arad.

They treat Arad as a mere servant or slave, expecting it to serve their desires without question.

The same God who placed immense wealth in trade said: "Draw closer to your customers."

These people don’t make initial contact with customers.

They don’t follow up consistently, and then they wonder why God’s promise in trade has not been fulfilled for them.

The same God who called trade the best profession in the world said: "A trader must not swear falsely, lie, or be dishonest."

Yet they swear falsely, are dishonest with people’s money, and then complain, asking why they’ve failed in trade.

The same God who made trade the pride of the world said: "Whoever follows a path must obey their guide."

Arad has repeatedly told them to start with the basics—planting seeds, which means reaching at least 10 leads and signals daily.

A year passes, and they barely manage 2–3 leads and signals instead of the minimum 3,000 they should have.

"Then you say, 'Well, if you had high promotion levels, you wouldn’t have issues with leads and signals.'"

But if their promotion level is low, meaning their financial situation isn’t strong, they should have plenty of free time.

Why didn’t you pay attention to the free branding training to increase your leads and signals?

Have you launched your independent media presence on social networks?

You find they are clueless, not even understanding what independent media means.

They haven’t followed guidance, and even if they read a piece of advice, they skimmed over it carelessly.

These are the people who hear the promises but disregard the boundaries and conditions God has set for fulfilling them.

They act based on their own desires and gain nothing from the magnificent promises of their Lord.

Conclusion

So, as Aradi traders, we must be smart.

Whenever we hear a promise from Allah, we should first investigate and ask: "What are the boundaries and conditions set by Allah for this promise?"

Then, we must commit ourselves to those boundaries and conditions.

When we do this, we will witness Allah fulfilling all His promises.

This is the word of your Lord, as He said:

"Fulfil your covenant with Me as I fulfil My Covenant with you." Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 40

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) explained: "It means to fulfill the promises you made to Me and the deeds you pledged to perform, so that I may fulfill the promises I made regarding your rewards and compensation."

On the first day, we come and make a promise: "If I enter into trade, I will follow all the instructions of the mentors, and whatever they say, I will lovingly respond with 'Yes'."

Fulfill this very promise you made on the first day, and then you will see that all the promises about trade were true.