Earning wealth and livelihood through right ways

Purity of hand is the one of the great signs of a noble man.

Man gets great honour and strength through earning good wealth but it must be through good means. By nature, everybody has the right to earn and to spend in the desirable ways.

In another sense, earning livelihood is obligatory for each responsible person and it is prohibited for him to mishandle his own possessions for pride or any other bad interest.

Thus, everyone should be independent of others, trying his best to get enough provision or food for him and for those who are under his care.

Allah the Almighty says "O You who have believed, eat from the good things which we have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah if it is indeed him that you worship" (2: 172).

In another verse from Qur’an, Allah has ordered the humankind to walk among the pathways of the earth and eat of His provisions. “ He it is, Who has made the earth submissive to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to lie and to do agriculture on it, etc..), So walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection” (67:15)

 After commanding to attend the Friday Prayers, Allah commands to the believers “Then when the (Jumu'ah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working, etc.), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.(62:10)

 The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be up on him) also emphasized the importance of works and good earnings as he has said: "Never has anyone eaten a better food that what he has obtained through his manual work"

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had been doing trade for a period and he proved his honesty since from his small age. He blocked himself and his family members from taking charities.

 Another Prophet for Allah Dawood (A), never ate except from his own earnings. He was very famous for his expertise in Metal-Works. I

It is reported about another prophet of Allah, Isa (A) that he asked a man whom he met one day:

"What do you do?" He replied: "I am always in worship and prayers”

Then the prophet Isa (A) said: "Then Who is getting food for you?” he said: "My brother”.

The prophet asked him again: "Where is your brother now?”

He answered: "In the field”.

Then the prophet Isa (A) explained: "Your brother is more of a worshipper to Allah than you".

Once, prophet Muhammad(SAW) was travelling along with some of his companions as they passed by a man who was working in a field as someone from the group commanded, if the man spent the time for working for the cause of Allah(religious duties), it was better for him.

Then the prophet (SAW) corrected him saying ‘What the man was doing also is much greater ’.

 Begging is not allowed except in some exceptional cases.

 It is highly discouraged by the prophet (SAW) as he says;

“Allah doesn't like to see his servant asking anybody except Him, and the person who does so, will be presented in front of Allah on the Day of Resurrection with the signs of begging on his face which will cause humiliation to him”

 Khalifa Abubakr® was a great businessman known for his good wealth. But he always made sure that all of his income was from lawful ways and always consumed the lawful.

 Khalifa Umar® was very strict about the matter as he used to warn those who sit inactive in the mosque without going for work saying to them “do not be a burden on the people”.

He also lived with some trades.

He said "I would not prefer to die in a situation better than a situation where I am buying for my family or trading".

 Luqman,the Man of wisdom( who is mentioned in the holy Qur’an with a special chapter for his great advices to his son) is reported as said to his son in an advice :

 "O ,my Son ,work and earn through right ways and avoid poverty . No one becomes poor but he will get weak in his mind, and will lose his manhood and will be humiliated by the people ".

 But the wealth or earning should be pure and legitimate.

Wealth producer must fulfil his contracts and must abstain from cheating, lying and similar acts. Because, earnings and possessions have deep effects on the individual and the community.

When the wrong means are selected to make wealth, financial crisis will take place which will cause even for the collapse of the whole society.

 The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says:

 "Four things if you have them, then do not be worried about what you lose out in this life. Observance of the trust, truthfulness, good manners, and chastity and purity in what you eat". (Ahmad)