IMPORTANCE OF EARNING HALAAL.docx

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I M P O R T A N C E O F E A R N I N G H A L A A L Earning a halaal livelihood is a command of Allah and the responsibility of every man. Hazrath

Anas [radhiallaahu anhu] reports that Rasulullah [ ] has said: "It is a bounded dutyupon every Muslirn to earn a halaal livelihood."

Earning halaal saves one from begging, consuming haraam and doubtful things which are trulyharmful.

Many aayaat as well as ahaadith have been given explaining how one should conduct oneself while seeking a halaal livelihood and regarding the importance of doing business and trade inaccordance to the shariah.

We see that Hazrat Umar [radhiallaahu anhu] would not allow a person to do business until hehad learnt the Islaamic manners and etiquette of running a business. Thus, it is also essentialthat we too, learn the correct method of dealings, trade and that of running a business.

While doing business, one should be honest, as this will bring blessings in the trade. Oneshould apply good conduct and also be lenient. Never should one be harsh or rude. Also, avoidswearing oaths excessively when selling.

We must also realize that earning is only a necessity and not one's object. Therefore, thebusiness should not make one unmindful of Allah nor should it distract us from Hisremembrance.

Furthermore, Allah says in the Quraan: "And I have not created Jinns and men, except that theyworship me."

Here we should understand well that worship does not only mean Salaah, Fasting, Haj etc. Inevery aspect of life, if one will do it for Allah's sake, then that also becomes Ibaadaat (act of worship) - be it in one's eating, earning, providing for one's wife and children or spending on thefamily.

If one has the correct intentions, than that very same act, which outwardly may seem to be anecessity and a duty will become an Ibaadaat and a means of blessing and reward.

Likewise, even in one's (Halaal) business, if one will do it for the pleasure of Allah, havingthe correct intentions, then that very same business and halaal earning, which is aresponsibility and an incumbent duty upon every Muslim, can easily become a source of gaining tremendous amounts of reward from Allah Ta'ala and a means of virtues andblessings. Therefore, while running a business, one should have the intention that:

1) I am working because it is the command of Allah.

2) To protect my wife and children from begging and to provide halaal sustenance for them. Inthis way saving them from haraam as well.

3) I am running this business, so that I can give employment to others so that they too, can earna halaal livelihood.

4) The way I am going to conduct the business is going to be an invitation for the non Muslimsto accept Islaam.

5) I will not indulge in interest, overdraft etc. and that I will close my shop at salaat times.

6) From the profit I get, I will assist the poor & help in good causes, like building madaaris,masaajid, hospitals etc.

These are just some of the intentions that one should have. Also, we see that although it maybe just one shop, the rewards will be so much. Therefore, the more intentions that a person willmake, the greater the amount of reward he will receive. As Nabi [ ] has said:"Verily actions are judged according to the intentions."



Aayaat:

"And Allah Ta'ala has made trade lawful." (Baqarah)

"And We have made the day a means of earning livelihood." (Naba)

"And it is We who have placed you with authority on the land, provided you therein with meansfor fulfilment of your life." (A'raaf)

"And there are others travelling in the land, seeking Allah's bounty." (Muzammil)

"And when the prayer is finished, disperse in the land and seek the bounty of Allah (by working

etc.) and remember Allah much so that you may be successful." (Jum'ah)

"O you who believe eat from the pure things of what We have sustained you." (Al-Baqarah)

The Importance and Virtues of earning Halaal

Hadith 1

Hazrat Abdulla ibn Masood [radhiallaahu anhu] reports that Rasulullah [ ] said, "Toearn a halaal livelihood is compulsory after the completion of other Fara'idh." (compulsory acts)

Hadith 2

Rasulullah [ ] is reported to have said: "No one has ever eaten any food which isbetter than that which he had earned through working with his hands, and verily Allah's Nabi,Dawood [alayhis salaam] used to eat that which he earned with his hands."

Hadith 3

Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri [radhiallaahu anhu] relates from Rasulullah [ ] that hesaid: "For every person who earns anything halaal which he eats himself or whereby he clotheshimself or anyone of Allah's creation, that shall be written as a deed of charity."

Hadith 4

Naseeh-al-Ansi [radhiallaahu anhu] relates from Rakb al Misri [radhiallaahu anhu] thatRasulullah [ ] said: "Glad tidings to those whose earnings are halaal."

Khalifah Hishaam bin Abdul Maalik asked Abu Haazim Makki (Rahmatullah alayh):"How cansalvation in the hereafter be achieved."

Abu Haazim said: "By the acquisition of wealth lawfully and spending it lawfully."

The Khalifah asked: "Who can do this?"

Abu Haazim (Rahmatullah alayh) said: "He who wishes for Jannat, Fears Jahannam andsearches for Allah's pleasure. "

Hadith 5

Hazrat Abu Hurairah [radhiallaahu anhu] says that Nabi [ ] has said, "If a manbrings a load of wood on his back, sells it and eats from its produce, itis far better than beggingfor bread and what about begging alm? Someone gives and some doesn't."

Hadith 6

Sayyidina Anas [radhiallaahu anhu] reports that a certain ansari once came to Rasulullah [ ] and begged him for something. Rasulullah [ ] asked him, "Is there really

nothing in your house?" He replied. "Yes, sire there is a hessian bag, one part of which I wear and the other part I spread when I retire to sleep, and a cup which I use for drinking water."Rasulullah [ ] said; "Bring both to me." He brought the articles. Rasulullah [

] took them and exclaimed, "Who will buy these from me?" A man replied, "I shall buythem both for one dirham" Rasulullah [ ] asked twice or thrice, "Who will give memore?" A man finally said: "I shall buy them both for two dirhams." Thereupon Rasulullah [

] gave the goods to him and gave the two dirhams to the ansari and said: "Buy food withthe one dirham and feed your family and buy with the other an axe and bring it to me." Theansari brought the axe. Rasulullah [ ] took it and with his own mubarak hands fitted



the handle to it, and said: "Go! Cut wood and sell and let me not see you for 15 days." The mandid as he was told and came (again) after 15 days with 10 dirhams, with some of it he boughtclothes and with the other he bought food.Rasulullah [ ] said to him: "This is better for you than that you shall appear on the day of Qiyaamat with a mark on your face to indicatethat you were a beggar."

Hadith 7

Sayyidina Aisha (RA) reported that Rasulullah [ ] said: "Whosoever in the evening

is exhausted through his work, has all his sins forgiven by that evening."

Hadith 8

Hazrat Ka'ab bin Ujra [radhiallaahu anhu] says that Rasulullah [ ] has said: "Towork for himself, his children and his parents is pleasing to Allah. To earn for show or pride isthe devils way."

Hadith 9

Hazrat Abu Saeed [radhiallaahu anhu] says that Nabi [ ] said: "Whosoever maintained himself on legitimate earning, followed the prophets traditions and refrained fromdoing mischief, deserves Jannat and would be admitted to it." Those present represented thatthere were such people those days. Nabi [ ] said: "Even after him there would besuch people."

Business which is done in the morning is blessed

Hadith 1

Hazrat Aisha (Radiallahu Anha) said that Rasulullah [ ] said: "One should go out toseek sustenance and legitimate earning in the morning, for morning work is blessed andprosperous."

Hadith 2

Hazrath Sakh'r ibn Wad'ah [radhiallaahu anhu] relates that Rasulullah [ ]supplicated: "O Allah bless the mornings of my people." Whenever he despatched a small or bigarmy, he despatched it early in the morning. Hazrath Sakh'r was a merchant. He alwaysdespatched his goods in the early part of the day and as such his business flourished and hiswealth increased.

Hadith 3

Nabi [ ] has said: "Allah distributes sustenance to the people from dawn tillsunrise."

From “The Book of Wealth” By Ml. Moosa Olgar

Earning A Halal Living

Islam teaches that our success lies neither in asceticism nor in materialism. Neither should weshun nor renounce material life, nor be enslaved and motivated by it. Islam advocates a justbalance between the two extremes. It adopts a balanced attitude between the spiritualdevelopment of an individual and his/her material needs.

Earning a Living

A Muslim is not only obliged to earn money. However, if he were to earn it, he is obliged to earnHalal money.

Rasulullah SAW is narrated to have said:

"The quest for a lawful livelihood is an obligation (like all other) obligations in Islam."



Once, Rasulullah SAW was seated with his Companions RA in the mosque, when a stout andstrong man passed the masjid, running towards his business.

The Companions RA said:

"Alas! For this young man! Had his body and health run in the way of Allah."

Rasulullah SAW retorted saying:

"Do not say this. If this young man runs (to his business) with the object of not depending onothers and refraining from begging, then he is in the Path of Allah. If he conducts trade with theview of providing for his weak parents and children, he is in the Path of Allah. If he tries to show

his wealth out of pride, he is in the way of Shaytaan."

Saiyidina Umar ibn Al-Khattab RA adviced the Ummat with a precious compact advice:

"Let none of you refrain from earning livelihood (and simply resort to Du'a only) by saying: "O Allah, give me provision". Know for certain that the Heaven will not shower rain of gold andsilver."

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has said:

"Poverty can lead to Kufr."

The Prophet Muhammad SAW also said:

"Take to trade, because out of ten divisions of livelihood, nine are in trade."

UNSOUND BUSINESS PRACTICE

Is it naive for a Muslim to behave honestly and ethically in a globally competitive environmentcharacterised by such murky undercurrents?

Is it naive for a Muslim to be honest and just in business?

Will honesty simply deprive them of the competitive edge over their business rivals?

Has honesty become an unsound business?

Has it become an unsound business practice to be honest?

Is it too costly to be honest?

NO! - is the emphatic answer.

Earning a livelihood is not only a duty in Islam, but a great virtue as well. Trade and commerceform an integral part of a Muslim's life and are regarded as acts of Divine worship. The quest for a living cannot be divorced from religious and moral ethics. Trade cannot be separated fromtrust in Allah Ta'ala, the Ultimate Provider.

CRIMINAL ARISTOCRATS, DECEIT AND FRAUD

Sadly, we see an increasing number of Muslims caught in the cobweb of fraud and deceit.



Some of them - highly successful businessmen, rich and famous, the 'criminal aristocrats' of our communities.

The Noble Qur'an states:

"O ye who Believe - fulfil your covenants!"

The Qur'an calls on all Believers to be true to their contractual obligations.

Rasulullah SAW said:

"Fulfil the trust of one who has entrusted you and do not be treacherous to one who deceivesyou."

Another tradition attributed to Rasulullah SAW categorically states:

"There is no Imaan in one who is not trustworthy, nor is there religion in who does not keep hispromises."

The Noble Qur'an states:

"O ye who Believe! Do not devour your property by illegal methods except that it be by way of trade based on mutual consent."

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Flesh nurtured by unlawful sustenance will not enter Paradise; Hell is more befitting for it."

Another Hadith states:

"No people decrease in weight and measure (practice fraud) except that their provision shall berestricted."

CONSUMPTION AND SUBMISSION

The Noble Qur'an has directed the Prophets AS in the following words:

"O Messengers of Allah! Consume what is pure and act righteously."

From the above verse we can observe that even the Noble Prophets AS were specificallydirected to consume Halal, because there is a definite link between consumption of Halal andsubmission to the directives of Allah Ta'ala. The capacity to act righteously is directly related tothe consumption of Halal. A body nurtured by Haram becomes incapable of submission to AllahSWT, for honesty is light and falsehood is darkness - both are naturally incompatible to eachother. The overshadowing darkness of Haram blots out all rays of light from the heart. Anindividual is then unable to implement the Divine Laws of Allah SWT, nor is he able to conducthis dealing in an honest manner. Halal income breeds Halal thought and action, while Haramincome breeds Haram thought and action.

HONEST ACQUISITION OF WEALTH

Rasulullah SAW has said:

"The honest and trustworthy trader will be in the company of the Prophets, the Upright, and theMartyrs (on the Day of Qiyamah)."

Indeed, Rasulullah SAW has classed an honest merchant with:

- the Prophets, on account of him conducting his business affairs on principles of kindness,



justice and honesty which are the hallmarks of Nubbuwah

- the Upright, on account of pervading Allah consciousness in all his dealings

- The Martyrs on account of fighting heavy temptation in treading the path of honesty and justice.

PENITENCE

Many people entertain the false belief that a trip to Makkah or giving away monetary charitywould guarantee them forgiveness for fraud. We must engrave this in our heart that a Muslimcannot seek penitence from Haram monies through giving it to charity.

Our dear Prophet Muhammad SAW has said:

"No man acquires unlawful property and gives some of it in charity will have it accepted fromhim, neither will he receive blessings for it..."

(Al Qur‟ān 5:2) Allah Ta‟ala says,

…

And do not assist in sin and oppression…

Find attached a chart outlining the different categories of assisting in sins.

This includes all businesses that aid to or deal with (all earnings from such would be deemedharaam):

riba,

alcohol,

pork,

zina,

gambling,

This would include all interest based banks, shops that sell alcohol (or items containing alcohol[not the chemical]) and/or pork (or items containing pork derivatives), all rest houses and/or hotels that serve haraam items and/or providing a place for people to commit zina (which seemsto be a common usage of rest houses and hotels in today's day and age).

Hazrath Jabir (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Nabi (Sallahu „Alaihi Wasallam) cursed thosewho are involved in usury (riba); whether it is the person who is giving usury, receiving it, writing

the transaction or witnessing it.

(Sahih Muslim, Vol.11, Pg.28, Dār al -Ma‟rifah)

CONCLUSION:

The most essential thing to remember here is that it is not only that the earnings of an unlawful or Islamicly unacceptable business are haraam. Moreover the really worrisome thing is the fact that whosoever indulges in the gunnah or consumes haraam because of the conduciveenvironment, or availabilty of the haraam product etc outsourced by you, even the weight of their sins will be on your shoulder. The gravity of which we cannot begin to imagine in thislifetime, and in the hereafter it would be too late!

Al-Quran states in Surah At-Talaq (65:3)



"And He-SWT provides for him (a sustenance) from whence he never reckons. Andwhoso puts his trust in Allah-SWT , He-SWT will suffice him. Verily Allah-SWT is sure to

attain His-SWT Purpose, and has assigned to everything a measure ."

Saying Of Prophet Muhammad-SAAW:Sahih Al_Bukhari Volume 1, Hadith 315

The Holy Prophet-SAAW said, "At every womb Allah appoints an angel who says, 'O Lord! Adrop of semen, O Lord! A clot. O Lord! A little lump of flesh." Then if Allah wishes (to complete)its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord!) Will it be a male or female, a wretched or a blessed, and

how much will his provision be? And what will his age be?' So all that is written while thechild is still in the mother's womb."

The entire thing is that Allah-SWT wants us to place our Trust in Him-SWT alone, and when wemake our effort to earn a halaal living no matter how lucrative the haraam options seem to be,we show Allah-SWT how much we love and Trust Him-SWT ... And certainly Allah-SWT'sPromises are not like ours, He-SWT always keeps them!

Therefore lets pray for ourselves and all those around us who may be finding it hard to give up

the unlawful sources of livelihood, May Allah-SWT truly allow us to Love and Trust Him-SWT and earn and spend for His-SWT Pleasure alone and of the things that he has made pure and beneficial to us. Ameen!

2:268 - Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allahpromises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing

and Knowing.

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