Hadhrat Yunus ibn ‘Ubaid

Yunus ibn ‘Ubaid was an honest and truthful Muslim trader, whose conduct is worthy of emulation. Once, he remarked,

“two things have the greatest honour: a dirham earned in a halal (permissible) manner and a person who practises upon the sunnah (example of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)).”

Once, a woman came to sell a silk robe to Yunus ibn ‘Ubaid. He enquired, “How much would you like for it?”

She replied, “five hundred”

Yunus said, “I think it is worth more.”

She then suggested, “Six hundred.”

He again said that he thought it was worth more. This continued until the price was finally agreed at a thousand.

 

One day, a man from Syria came to the silk market and asked Yunus ibn ‘UBaid, “Do you have a shawl worth four hundred dirhams?”

Yunus ibn ‘Ubaid answered, “We have a shawl worth two hundred.”

Just then the adhan was called and Yunus proceeded for Salah. When he returned, his nephew had already sold the shawl to the Syrian man for four hundred dirhams.

Yunus asked in astonishment, “What are these dirhams for?”

The man replied, “It is payment for the shawl.”

Yunus exclaimed, “O servant of Allah, the price of the shawl which I had presented to you was two hundred dirhams. If you so desire you may take it together with the extra two hundred dirhams that you have paid. If you are unhappy, you may leave it.”

Amazed at his integrity, the man asked, “But, who are you?”

Yunus replied, “A man from amongst the Muslims.”

Again the man asked, “I ask you in the Name of Allah, who are you?”

Yunus answered, “I am Yunus ibn ‘Ubaid.”

 

Another time, a woman came to Yunus ibn ‘Ubaid with a silk cloth which she wanted to sell.

He asked, “How much would you like for it?”

She replied, “Sixty dirhams.”

Yunus then asked his neighbour for his opinion regarding the value of the cloth.

His neighbour adviced, “It is worth a hundred and twenty.”

Yunus agreed, saying, “I had also thought that its value was closer to a hundred and twenty.”

Yunus then addressed the woman, “I suggest you take the cloth back to your family and discuss the matter with them. We are comfortable to purchase it from you for a hundred and twenty five dirhams.”

She replied, “They have instructed me to sell it for sixty.”

Yunus insisted, “Return to them and discuss the matter again with them.”