LAWFUL EARNINGS AND KEEPING AWAY FROM THE UNLAWFUL

SAYINGS OF THE MESSENGER OF THE CREATOR (78 TO 90)

(SALLALLAHO-ALAIHE-WA-AALEHI-WASALLAM)

ECONOMICS

LAWFUL EARNINGS AND KEEPING AWAY FROM THE UNLAWFUL

78.  Sayyidina ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       To lookout for lawful means of livelihood is a fard (obligatory duty) in addition to other obligatory duties. (Tabarani, Bayhaqi)

79.  Sayyidina Anas bin Maalik (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       It is Wajib (an obligation) for every Muslim to look out for a lawful means of livelihood. (Tabarani, Targheeb)

80.  Sayyidina Ka’b bin ‘Ujrah (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       If anyone goes out of his house and labours for his young children (to provide them sustenance) then his labour is on the path of Allah. If anyone goes out of his house to labour for his aged parents then his effort is in the cause of Allah. If anyone labours for his own self so that he may keep himself safe (from unlawful earnings) then his effort is for the sake of Allah. However, if anyone strives only to show off and to impress other people then he is on the path of devil. (Tabarani, Bayhaqi)

81.  Sayyidina Jabir (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       O people! Fear Allah and be fair in seeking (livelihood). No one will die until he has received in full his livelihood (apportioned to him). If there is delay in receiving the livelihood then too fear Allah and be fear in your efforts, take the lawful livelihood and shun the unlawful.  (Ibn Majah, Targheeb)

82.  Sayyidina ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       Even if one of you feels he is experiencing delay in receipt of livelihood, he must not seek it through disobedience of Allah. That is because the favours of Allah and His benevolence can not be had through being disobedient to Him.  (Haakim, Targheeb)

83.  Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       Sometimes a man arrives after a long journey, his hair messy and countenance untidy. He raises his hands towards the heaven calling out, “Lord, Lord!” Although, his food is unlawfully acquired, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful and his growth from unlawful nourishment. How then may his supplication be answered? (Muslim, Tirmizi, Targheeb)

84.  Sayyidina Ka’b bin Maalik (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       If two hungry wolves are allowed among a herd of sheep, they will not cause as much damage as is caused in a man’s life because of greed for wealth, and honour and reputation in the religious field.  (Tirmiai, Targheeb)

85.  Sayyidina Anas bin Maalik (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       If the son of Aadam has two valleys full of wealth and possessions, he will yet crave for a third. Nothing but dust will fill the belly of the son of Aadam. He who repents to Allah, Allah accepts his repentance.  (Bukhari, Muslim)

86.  Sayyidina ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       The world is beautifully fertile and pleasant. He who earns wealth in this world in a lawful manner and spends on proper heads, Allah will reward him and send him to Paradise. He who earns wealth here in an unlawful manner and spends on unjust causes, Allah will send him to the abode of debasement. There are many people who are careless in the wealth of Allah and His Messenger; on the Day of Resurrection, their lot will be the Fire of Hell. Allah has said: “Whenever this Fire would appear to cool down We will intensify it    (Bahaqi, Targheeb)

87.  Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       The body which grows with unlawful nourishment will not go to Heaven.  (Haakim, Targheeb)

88.  Sayyidina ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       If anyone buys a garment for ten dirhams and if anyone of the ten dirhams is unlawfully acquired, as long as he wears that garment, Allah will not accept his prayers. (Ahmad, Targheeb)

89.  Sayyidina ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

O Sa’d! Make sure that your sustenance is lawful, your prayers will be granted. By Him in whose Hands is the life of Muhammad, if anyone eats a morsel of unlawful food, Allah does not accept any of his pious deeds for forty days. Then, as for the creature whose flesh is developed from the unlawful then the Fire is more worthy of him. (Tabarani, Targheeb)

90.  Sayyidina Nu’maan bin Basheer (Radi-ALLAHO-An-ho)

       The lawful is obvious and the unlawful is obvious and between the two there are certain doubtful things that many people do not distinguish (whether lawful or unlawful). Then, he who keeps away from the doubtful, preserves his religion and his honour but he who goes for the doubtful things, (ultimately) goes for the unlawful just like a shepherd who pastures his flock on the boundaries of a restricted area and whose animals will wander into the restricted area to graze. Remember, every king has such an area (restricted). The pastures of Allah are the things He has forbidden. (Bukhari, Muslim, Mishkat)

Collected by Muhammad Sharif Fauji from The Book “Sayings of The Prophet” (Peace Be Upon Him), Darul Ishaat, Urdu Bazaar Karachi