As Muslims, we are always guided by the words of Allah and Rasool (s) that we shouldn't get stumbled on our way of life. We must be ready to face whatever that is on our way, but shouldn't forget to keep in mind that we are Muslims. Allah has created this earth to enjoy what is lawful and good to the mankind. So we must always seek for Halal earning which is a main mode to enjoy on earth lawfully.
"...your property, which Allah hath made a means of support for you," (Al-Qur’an 4:5)"It is He who has made the earth subservient to you. You walk through its vast valleys and eat of its sustenance. Before Him you will all be resurrected." (Al-Qur’an 67:15)"The Halal is that which Allah has made lawful in His Book and Haram is that which He has forbidden, and that concerning which He is silent He has permitted as a favor to you." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
This is a very good occupation based on farming like producing crops and raising livestock. Allah has said in the Quran that He has spread out the earth for us so as to make a living through earning.
"He spread out the earth for the people. There exists all kinds of fruits, palm-trees with sheathed blossoms, grain with its husk and aromatic herbs. (Jinn and mankind) - which of the favors of your Lord do you deny?" (Al-Qur’an 55:10-13)
And some of us may shrink their faces, thinking how to maintain all these along, but don't worry for Allah says in His Book:
"And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees - of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe." (Al-Qur’an 6:99)
"And the earth - We have spread it and cast therein firmly set mountains and caused to grow therein [something] of every well-balanced thing. And We have made for you therein means of living and [for] those for whom you are not providers." (Al-Qur’an 15:19,20)
"And We have sent the fertilizing winds and sent down water from the sky and given you drink from it. And you are not its retainers." (Al-Qur’an 15:22)
"Let the human being think about (how We produce) his food. We send down abundant water, and let the earth to break open to yield therein corn, grapes, vegetables, olives, dates, thickly planted gardens, fruits, and grass. (These are made so as to be) means of enjoyment for you and your cattle." (Al-Qur’an 80:24-32)
So more than our effort, there is a great deal of help from Allah when involving in Agriculture. And raising livestock is also considered to be a good mode of earning. Though it is considered to be a cheap one among us, all the prophets had involved in such activities during their times.
"Allah did not send a prophet without his having tended sheep", They asked, ‘You too, O Messenger of Allah?' He replied, "Yes. I tended sheep for wages for the people of Makkah." (Bukhari)
Also Agriculture counts to be a way to earn rewards:
"When a Muslim plants a plant, anything eaten of it or stolen from it, until the Day of Resurrection, is accounted as a charity for him." (Muslim)
Trade usually refers as an activity of buying and selling of goods and services. The importance of trade can be understood by the following Quran verse:
"Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the Remembrance of Allah (with heart and tongue), nor from performing As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), nor from giving the Zakat." (Al-Qur’an 24:37)
Trade is mostly based on Travelling. Allah has defined trade as a way of seeking the bounty of Allah.
"He knows that there will be some among you sick, others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah's Bounty; yet others fighting in Allah's Cause." (Al-Qur’an 73:20)
Also Islam has encouraged the trade in overseas. The following verses define about ships which are considered to be a major mode to transport goods and services to foreign countries:
"...and the ships that run in the sea with that which profits men," (Al-Qur’an 2:164)
Allah has given ships as a means from His bounty:
"And among His Signs is this, that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His Mercy (i.e. rain), and that the ships may sail at His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, in order that you may be thankful." (Al-Qur’an 30:46)
"...and you see the ships cleave through it that you may seek of His bounty and that you may be grateful."( Al-Qur’an 35:12)
Allah has said in His Book that He has established Makkah as a commercial centre for trade which shows that Trade is highly encouraged in Islam as a way to earn:
"Have We not established for them a sure sanctuary, whereunto the produce of all things is brought (in trade), a provision from Our presence? But most of them know not." (Al-Qur’an 28:57)
And there was a reluctance among Muslims fearing that trading on Hajj seasons will affect the purity of worship, but Allah (SWT) revealed these verses to show that there is no problem to involve in commercial activities during Hajj.
"It is not a sin if you try to make a profit out of the bounty of your Lord (by trading during hajj)." (Al-Qur’an 2:198)
Industries are large scale businesses based on manufacturing of goods and services in factories. The following Quran verses depict the importance of Industries and how it benefits the mankind:
"It was We Who taught him the making of coats of mail for your benefit, to guard you from each other's violence: will ye then be grateful?"(Al-Qur’an 21:80)
"We sent down iron - in which there is strong power and benefit for the people" (Al-Qur’an 57:25)
Salaried Jobs are also a way of earning where you have to work under someone and you will be paid according to the capacity you have worked. It could be a post in an organization, in a government or it could be a work done for an individual, but the main thing that should be considered here is whether the job fits you. If it doesn't, then you aren't eligible to work and if you are compelled to do so, then there is no problem with that.
"Anas (R.A) narrated that the Prophet (SAWS) said, He who seeks the office of a judge, collecting recommendations, is left to himself, but for him who is compelled to accept it, Allah sends an angel to guide him." (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
Islam has not much encouraged for governorship because if you have taken the job at your request, you will be the only one who will be held on account in the hereafter.
"Narrated ‘Abdur Rahman ibn Samrah (R.A), “The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) told me, Abdur Rahman, do not ask for governorship, for if you are appointed to it without asking, you will be helped, while if you are appointed to it at your request, you alone will be held responsible."(Bukhari, Muslim)
And never ask anyone to appoint you because if you are eligible, they would have already appointed or they would have recognized you, and do not worry if you aren't selected for a position because Higher rank jobs are not so easy and we will be held responsible for each and everything on the Day of Resurrection.
Abu Dharr (R.A) narrated, “I said, ‘Messenger of Allah! Will you not appoint me?’ The Prophet (SAWS) patted me on the shoulder and then said, Abu Dharr, you are a weak person, and this is a trust; and on the Day of Resurrection it will be a cause of regret and shame except for the one who qualifies for it and fulfills his responsibilities.” (Muslim)
But if you are sure that you are eligible to do a job and leaving it unknown will bring a damage to the public, then you can get the job as Prophet Yusuf did the same when His King told him of granting a position to him.
"Yusuf (Joseph) said: Set me over the storehouses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge." (Al-Qur’an 12:55)
So if you can make a living through any of the above ways without making your earning Haram, then you will prosper in your life. It will be a Halal living for you and you will feel a difference mentally and spiritually as well.
This is one of an important element for a successful earning. If you aren't honest, you will soon see a shortage in what you earn or if you earn greatly, you will observe that your earnings are spent unnecessarily and unknowingly. So be honest and trustworthy. Don't worry if you earn a little because of being honest. You will surely see barakah in it.
“An honest and trustworthy merchant will be with the prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.” (Tirmidhi)
"Merchants will be raised up on the Day of Resurrection as wicked people, with the exception of those who fear Allah, do righteous deeds, and are truthful." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
If you are having an industry or if someone works under you, please pay their due salary on time. This will strengthen your employees' trust on you and there will be an outstanding productivity that you could observe from them. And do not forget to pay the required amount to them.
“pay the laborer their wages before their sweat dries up” (Ibn Majah)
"Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: The Almighty Allah said : There will be three persons whose opponent I shall become on the Resurrection Day: A man who gave in My name and then broke trust, and a man who sold a free man and enjoyed his price, and a man who engaged a laborer and enjoyed full labor from him but did not pay him his wages. (Bukhari)
Be fair when dealing with business activities. Set a reasonable price and show mercy to your customers without cheating them.
"Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to people." (Bukhari)
When doing a business, it's really hard to deal with customers. Some may say that they will pay later. Some may ask for money and will delay in returning back. But if you are not harsh when dealing with such issues and that you show tolerance, Allah will shower mercy on you and there will be an immense barakah in your business.
"O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down." (2:282) Allah's Apostle said, "May Allah's mercy be on him who is lenient in his buying, selling, and in demanding back his money." (Bukhari)
It's important to make sure whether what you have earned and invested are lawful because if it isn't, then your earning will be Haram and you won't find barakah in it. So make sure whether your acquisition is Halal.
"Allah has allowed trading and forbidden usury." (Al-Qur’an 2:275)
If your business is based on agriculture or something related to it, then make sure whether you have species that are allowed in Islam.
"He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah." (Al-Qur’an 2:173)
"When Allah forbids the consumption of a thing to some people, He also forbids its price to them." (Abu Dawud)
If you can offer quality goods and services by being truthful, then you will observe how your business prosper. Even if you find some defects in some of your products and you tell them to the customers regarding it before selling, You will have barakah in it. Your customers will willingly buy from you as they are certain about the quality of your products.
"Allah's Apostle said, "The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return goods as long as they have not parted or till they part; and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost." (Bukhari)
It's important to consider your business environment. If you can find more opportunities and strengths, then the place will be suitable for you to conduct your business, but if it isn't, then it's better to change your environment. When Muslims feared to trade during Hajj seasons, Allah revealed an ayah telling that there is no harm in conducting their businesses. This shows that you should consider the environment when doing a business.
Just because of doing business, most of the Muslims fail to offer their prayers on time. They think that business is more important than Salah, but why don't we realize that it is Allah who is providing sustenance? Though we may earn a lot, we might not be able to find peace from what we have earned. So do not miss your prayers. If you make it a habit to pray on time, you will not only find barakah in your business, but also in your time as well. This can be explained by an incident when Sahabas left Rasoolullah (s) when he was doing a sermon, seeing the arrival of a merchandise and Allah revealed the following Ayah telling that prayer is important than merchandise.
"But when they saw a transaction or a diversion, [O Muhammad], they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, "What is with Allah is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allah is the best of providers."( Al-Qur’an 62:11)
When you are dealing in a business; if you find it suspicious, then leave it, because you don't know the impact it would create as you are doubtful. And there may be a possibility for great losses than gains.
"The Prophet (peace be on him said), “Leave alone what puts you in doubt and turn toward what does not put you in doubt.” (Tirmidhi)
If you want your business to be showered with Allah's blessings, Give charity for it purifies your possessions and make your wealth grow. You will observe how your business flourishes even before you become aware of it.
"Of their goods, take alms, that so thou mightiest purify and sanctify them;" (Al-Qur’an 9:103)
Your actions are judged by your intentions. So intend to have something good out of your business. Avoid developing evil thoughts for it will eventually create a failure in your business. Having good intentions will not only help you to succeed in your business, but also will develop a good personality within you.
"Intention determines the worth of a person's actions and he will attain what he intends." (Bukhari, Muslim)
Therefore, Making a Halal living not only benefits you in this world, but in the hereafter as well. So conducting your business along with Islamic spirituality will make it prosper and will make you the noblest. If everyone of us start to focus in this way, it would surely create a sustainable business environment for Muslims.
"Hadhrat Abu Khimari (Allah be pleased with him) narrates a lengthy Hadith in which Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The world is of four (types) of persons, (one among the four) is a man whom Allah Ta'ala granted wealth as well as understanding of the Deen. He fears his Raab and is kind (and renders service) to his relatives. And, in regard to the wealth he follows the commands of Allah and discharges rights. This man is the noblest..." (Tirmidhi)
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