Why is a halal earning important?
The life of this world is very short-lived, yet it is a very important time for each of us. As we come into this world, we open our eyes to many things in our surroundings. We learn each step of the way through our observations and experiences. When we ponder upon ourselves, we realize that we really did not have a choice to enter this world. Additionally, we were not given a choice of being born into a certain family or environment. We could not control what looks and features we were born with. Hence, we come to the conclusion that we do not have authority over whatever has been created around us. We realize that it is the One and Only Creator, Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) Who is the Lord of all creations. This is the calling of our conscience that tells us that all creation is subjugated to the command of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and that everything has been created for a purpose and with a purpose.
The purpose of existence is elaborated in the Qur’an and it is to worship the Creator. All other resources and treasures of provision have been given to us as a means to better worship Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and to achieve this very goal. Hence, all things given to us are not only a blessing but also a test for us with a reality that all must return back to Him.
فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
So exalted is He in whose hand is the realm of all things, and to Him you will be returned.
[Surah Yasin: 83]
He is the Caretaker of all things. He is the true King. Hence, it is essential that we correctly understand what pleases Him the most and what angers Him. We must save ourselves from His wrath. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has guided us through the verses of the Qur’an and also a human being’s basic nature and mind has given us the choice of adopting the right way.
Freedom of Choice in Earning
We are born into this world with various skills. As we grow, we have several plans and goals. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Qur’an:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ الْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.
[Surah Al-An’aam: 165]
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has given man the freedom to choose. What is important for us to know is that this freedom of choice is limited and not limitless. Although, we are free to choose, it is important that we realize this choice is an Amanah (a trust and needs to be returned) and so we should only choose to do what He likes.
Our Needs and Halal Earning
To live in this world, to keep good physical health and to be able to pass this on to the next generation is our basic need. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has taken care of all such needs for us as we learn in the following verse:
وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّاكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَايِشَ ۗ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful.
[Al-Ar’aaf: 10]
We are given plentiful resources and skills to use these resources for our benefit and our world has been filled with many treasures. Mankind has been preferred and honored with a high status while our Creator has subjugated all resourceful things for us to benefit from. This is given in this verse of the Qur’an:
وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللّٰہِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ
And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.
[Surah Ibrahim: 34]
Blessings are a Test
What is quite interesting is that the very same resources and items that have been given to us in this world also become a means of a test for us. We have been duly informed of what is permissible and what is not. We need to remain in the circle of permissibility while living our lives. Qur’an says:
وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ
He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled.
[Surah Al-An’aam:119]
We, as Muslims need to understand that everything is halal except for what is termed as haram.
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا
It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth.
[Surah Al-Baqara: 29]
If we are to understand the magnificent Creation Plan, we will conclude that everything has been created for mankind. Each creation has also been given its place between the heavens and earth. When these creations come into action, they work closely to provide for mankind. Man then uses these resources to benefit the world and himself in various ways. Hence, we are to always keep this in mind and always pray for being able to use these subjugated resources to the best of our abilities.
Additionally, we need to remember that whatever we decide to do is interrelated to the environment around us and affects it. Traces are left that directly impact our future as well as the future of the coming generations. The fact is that when we take these actions, we are usually unaware of the consequences. Yet, Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) knows everything. It is said in a verse of the Qur’an:
وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى اللّٰهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ
and nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the heaven.
[Surah Ibrahim:38]
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) encompasses everything and is aware of the minutest details of what mankind has carried forth. He continues to bless humans with more and is generous in this blessing. He only wants the best for us so whatever has been deemed harmful is what we have been told to abstain from. This is what has been made impermissible because it does not provide us any benefit else all things would have been made halal for us.
The circle of what has been made permissible for us is quite big and covers all areas of what can be consumed as food, where we can live and all those things that a person would like for himself as well as for the generations to come. This has been made the foundation for Muslims and this is the right path. This guarantees the success of both the worlds. This is what has been termed as “the Straight Path.”
The Previous Nations and their Lifestyle
Qur’an has been sent down as guidance to mankind and mentions how the previous nations perished. They denied the commandments of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and especially with regards to trade and business. Hence, they faced a downfall and destruction. Shuaib (Alaihissalam) was denied by his nation. He said to his nation:
قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ وَلَا تَنقُصُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَالْمِيزَانَ ۚ إِنِّي أَرَاكُم بِخَيْرٍ وَإِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ مُّحِيطٍ , وَيَا قَوْمِ أَوْفُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ , بَقِيَّتُ اللّٰهِ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ۚ وَمَا أَنَا عَلَيْكُم بِحَفِيظٍ ,
He said, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. And do not decrease from the measure and the scale. Indeed, I see you in prosperity, but indeed, I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing Day. And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption. What remains [lawful] from Allah is best for you, if you would be believers. But I am not a guardian over you.”
[Surah Hud: 84-86]
There is yet another person that has been mentioned in the Qur’an. He was a very rich man and he was also advised of the same. This was Qarun and he was told:
وَأَحْسِن كَمَا أَحْسَنَ اللّٰهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.”
[Surah Al-Qasas: 77]
He was reminded that he was blessed immensely and so he ought to reciprocate with a good attitude. He should leave corruption and adopt the Straight Path of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). Qarun decided not to pay heed to the advices and continued on the wrong way. The following verse unfolds the consequence of his choice:
فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِ وَبِدَارِهِ الْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُ مِن فِئَةٍ يَنصُرُونَهُ مِن دُونِ اللّٰهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُنتَصِرِينَ
And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor was he of those who [could] defend themselves.
[Surah Al-Qasas: 81]
We learn that when we leave the path of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and enter into areas of injustice, unfairness and wrong practices we invite our own destruction.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَن تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا
O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.
[An-Nissa:29]
This verse tells us that to devour the wealth of another in an unjust manner is similar to committing suicide. This is evident in business practice today. Although Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has blessed us with various ways of earning halal, we leave that to adopt the wrong ways and end up in problems. There is instability and lack of peace found in people due to the fact that the earning is not done through the permissible ways.
What are the benefits of halal earning?
- Means of Attaining Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) pleasure
The first and foremost benefit is of halal earning is that Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is pleased with the act. We are to stand in front of our Lord and we are answerable to Him. The correct means of earning becomes a basis of His pleasure.
- It becomes the means of the Mercy of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and barakah
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Qur’an:
وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَىٰ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَاتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ
And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning.”
[Surah Al-A’raaf: 96]
We learn that adopting iman and taqwa, which leads to staying within the bounds of permissible ways of life and abstaining from the impermissible, becomes a means of attaining the Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)’s mercy and opens doors to goodness. Not only this, but it also becomes a basis for a man to earn respect and honor. It is mentioned in a part of the hadith:
Al-Nu’man ibn Bashir reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus, he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, and he who falls into doubtful matters will fall into the unlawful…”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 52, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1599)
- Means of Obtaining Peace and Tranquility
If one refrains from the haram and only stays within the limits of halal earning, it becomes a means of a life filled with contenment. The sweetness of life is obtained where a person continues to make right choices for themselves and feels at ease. This becomes the pathway to Jannah. Because such people selected the purity of life is why the angels take their soul with purity and gentleness. These were the ones who were careful in their earnings, actions, eating and dressing. For them it is said in the Qur’an:
سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ
“Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein,” [they will enter].
[Az-Zumar: 73]
Disadvantages of Haram Earning
If a person indulges in doubts which leads him to haram will become the cause of loss of respect and honor. This will lead him to humiliation and misguidance. He will in due time become blind to the right path and will not be able to differentiate the right from the wrong. He will become desensitized to sin. As Abdullah bin Abbas (RadiAllahu anhu) has stated, “ RasulAllah ﷺ has said for a person who devours haram, his dua is not accepted and dua is the best form of worship.” Abdullah bin Abbas (RadiAllahu anhu) has also said in a hadith that “a person who devours haram is deprived from his duas being accepted and nor his worship.”
The life of such a person is devoid of peace, tranquility and happiness. His life is filled with problems and dissatisfaction despite heaps of riches surrounding him. The life of such an individual is surrounded by fears and paranoia. This is the end result of the choice he has made to leave the halal and choose the haram means of earning.
May Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) give us the tawfique to earn and eat only the halal so that we may worship Him in the best of manner. (Aameen)
