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The only reason that we are saved from the Azaab (punishment) of Almighty Allah
and are still alive today is because we are from the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
We are committing more sins than the previously dead tribes. The tribe
of Nabi Shuaib (alaihis salaam) was guilty of cheating by weighing less during
business. The tribe of Loot (alaihis salaam) was guilty of forbidden acts,
particularly adultery and fornication.
But we are the worst tribe of all as we left our ancestors far behind
and crossed all the limits in bad behavior and living a life of deceit. It is
about time that we as Muslims consider this matter seriously and think of the
consequences. Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated that
the best food is that which comes from one’s hard earned money. It is stated in
Bukhari that Nabi Dawood (alaihis salaam) also ate from his hard earned money.
Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated that the
most scented thing comes from your earnings and your children are your
earnings, therefore parents can live on their children’s earning. Prophet
Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that there will come a time when
nothing else besides your money will be of help. Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) has said that Halaal earning is Fardh after Fardh, meaning
after Namaaz and Roza a Halaal profession is Fardh.
Just as Almighty Allah commanded His Messengers, he has ordered the
same for the Muslims. He had ordered the Messengers: “O Messengers, eat from
your Halaal earnings and perform good, pious deeds.” And he ordered the
Muslims: “O Muslims, eat Halaal things that is given by us.” Many people make
Du’as and ask Almighty Allah to grant their wishes. But, how can their Du’as be
fulfilled if the clothes that they wear and the food that they eat comes from
Haraam earnings. It is stated by Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) that besides three people, it is not Ja’iz for anyone to ask for
anything – Firstly, one who has to pay his debts, second are those whose goods
are destroyed by natural causes, and thirdly, those that have been starving.
BENEFITS OF WORK:
It is Sunnat-e-Ambiya (Sunnat of the Prophets) to earn a Halaal
living. By you earning a living, there is an increase in wealth, which can be
used for Sadaqah, Khairat, Hajj, Zakaah, and the building of mosques and
Islamic Institutes.
Hadrat Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) received Jannah
with the aid of his wealth. When one
is occupied with work, he is saved
from many disasters and sins such as
stealing, gossiping, getting into
fights and unnecessary arguments and
other mischief which happens when
one is idle. When working, one gets
accustomed to hard work and does not
have pride.
When earning, one lives a life of peace unlike in poverty which brings
about lots of pain and misery. Whosoever leaves home in order to earn money,
the Angels that write his deeds make Du’a, asking Almighty Allah to make
Barakah in his earnings, and all the Angels say Aameen to this Du’a.
THE OCCUPATIONS OF THE AMBIYAS:
All the Prophets that came, engaged themselves in some kind of work.
Hadrat Adam (alaihis salaam) weaved clothes and later started farming, Hadrat
Nooh (alahis salaam) occupied himself with carpentry, Hadrat Idrees (alaihis
salaam) did tailoring, Hadrat Hud (alaihis salaam) and Hadrat Saleh (alaihis
salaam) were traders,
Hadrat Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) did farming as a hobby, Hadrat Shuaib
(alaihis salaam) ran a dairy farm, Hadrat Loot (alaihis salaam) was also a
farmer, Hadrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) took goats for grazing for years.
Although Hadrat Sulaiman (alaihis salaam) was a king he made made fans
out of leaves with his hands. As a little boy, Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) was a shepherd (took the goats for grazing) and later was a
trader for Hadrat Khatija (radi Allahu anha). Therefore, any form of Halaal
earning is Sunnat-e-Ambiya and to degrade it is foolish.
GOOD OCCUPATIONS:
The best occupation is Jihad, then trading and then farming. Any
occupation that is beneficial for this world and the Hereafter is recommended.
Weaving of clothes and tailoring is good as it is used to cover one’s body.
Making things that gives light is also good as it’s a necessity. An occupation
of building and construction is just as important as it gives people a roof
over their head. Making of things that are not necessary in life has not much
value in Islam.
Almighty Allah has provided us with hands and feet for a purpose and
we should be thankful and use it for constructive work. To sit idle is a crime
and do to sinful work or Haraam occupation is even worst. In any occupation one
should not go against the principles or teachings of Islam.
IMPERMISSIBLE OCCUPATIONS:
The occupations of singing, dancing, music, photography, selling of
liquor, gambling, taking of interest and being a false witness are all Haraam.
Previously, it was even Makrooh to accept salary for Imaamat or for any work
done for the Mosque , but when the Ulema of the earlier times realised that the
Mosques will then be deserted if it was allowed.
Another reason for it not being allowed was to attract Muslims to the
Mosque and increase the spread of knowledge of our Deen. Any occupation that
requires a person to have no conscience, be insensitive and ruthless, a person
that washes dead bodies before burial (as this requires a totally honest
person, one who does not disclose or mocks and secrets or defects found during
the Ghusal of the dead body because it is completely private matter which he or
she should keep to themselves), being an attorney or a broker is Makrooh, but
in time of need the latter two is acceptable on the condition that he is honest
and truthful at all times.
TRADING:
Trading is the occupation of our Ambiya and has many advantages.
It is mentioned in a Hadith Shareef that a trader is Marzooq (one who has been
given sustenance by Almighty Allah) and one who stores goods and does not sell
it in time of need but waits for the prices to rise and then sells it is
Mal’oon (cursed).
It is also mentioned that on the Day of Qiyamah a truthful and honest
trader will be among the Martyrs. The world depends on commerce and trading.
The towns, markets, etc. are livened because of trading. The materials required
for construction of a Mosque, Musallas, Kaffan, papers needed for publishing of
Islamic books, etc. are all bought from a trader.
Thus, trading is a very important aspect of our lives. When one is in
the business of trading, one should be friendly, honest and truthful at all
times. Customers should be able to trust him. He should know ways of attracting
customers. Nothing in this world is achieved easily. One has to make every
effort and work hard. Trading requires one to be very hardworking, efficient
consistent and clever. One cannot achieve success through laziness or from
being idle. To mislead or cause confusion in order to attract customers is not
the Islamic way of trading.
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