✔ Command to Eat Halal and Do Righteous Deeds
Allah the Almighty says:"O Messengers, eat from the good (halal) things and do righteous deeds."
(Surah al-Mu’minun: 51)
Commenting on this verse, Hafiz Ibn Kathir ad-Dimashqi (رحمه الله) wrote:
"Allah commands His special servants—the Messengers (عليهم السلام)—to eat what is halal and continue doing righteous deeds. Hence, it is known that halal sustenance assists in righteous actions. The Prophets perfectly acted upon this command, combining excellent speech, actions, guidance, and sincerity. May Allah reward them on behalf of all His servants."
(Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim, vol. 10, p. 126)
✔ Hadith Emphasizing Acceptance of Halal
Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:"O people! Allah is pure and accepts only that which is pure. Indeed, Allah has commanded the believers with what He commanded the Messengers. Allah said: 'O Messengers! Eat from the good (halal) things and act righteously.' And He said: 'O you who believe! Eat from the good things We have provided for you.'
Then the Prophet ﷺ mentioned a man on a long journey, disheveled and dusty, raising his hands to the sky and saying: ‘O Lord! O Lord!’ Yet his food is haram, his drink is haram, his clothing is haram, and he has been nourished with haram—how can his supplication be accepted?”
(Sahih Muslim: 1015; Darussalam: 2346)
✔ The Impact of Haram Earnings
This hadith makes it clear: supplications are not accepted from one who consumes haram.Those who engage in robbery, theft, fraud, bribery, breach of trust, and seize others' wealth through unjust means—what will be their standing in the court of Allah?
Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (رحمه الله) commented:
"Eat what is halal, which Allah has declared pure for you, and do not consume what is haram."
(Tafsir al-Tabari, vol. 18, p. 22)
✔ Example from Prophet Dawud (عليه السلام)
It is mentioned in early Hadith compilations:(وكان لا يأكل إلا من عمل يديه)
"He (Dawud عليه السلام) would only eat from what he earned with his own hands."
(Sahifah of Hammam ibn Munabbih: 47; see also Sahih Bukhari: 2073)
✔ Instruction of ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan (رضي الله عنه)
During a sermon, he said:"Do not compel a young slave to earn for you. If he finds nothing, he will resort to theft. Forgive as Allah has forgiven you, and consume only halal food."
(Muwatta Imam Malik, vol. 2, p. 981, Hadith 1904 – Authentic chain)
✔ Prophetic Warnings about Future Negligence
The Prophet ﷺ said:"A time will come upon people when a person will not care whether what he earns is from halal or haram."
(Sahih Bukhari: 2059)
Such a time reflects moral decay—where people consume indiscriminately without fear of Allah.
✔ Unjust Collection of Charity
Many undeserving individuals, despite having sufficient means, falsely present themselves as needy and seek Zakah and charity. This is strongly discouraged.The Prophet ﷺ said:
"It is better for one of you to gather firewood and carry it on his back than to ask people who may give or withhold."
(Sahih Bukhari: 2074; Sahih Muslim: 1042)
✔ Virtue of Earning Through One’s Own Hands
"No one ever ate food better than what he earned with his own hands."(Sahih Bukhari: 2072)
✔ Glad Tidings for the Content Person
Fadala ibn ‘Ubayd (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:"Glad tidings to the one who is guided to Islam, is given sufficient provision, and is content with it."
(Tirmidhi: 2349 – Hasan; authenticated by Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban 4125, and Hakim according to the conditions of Muslim; agreed by al-Dhahabi)
✔ Ibn Hibban’s Commentary on Contentment
"Contentment lies in the heart. He whose heart is rich will find his hands rich. And he whose heart is needy, his apparent wealth will not benefit him. One who adopts contentment worries for nothing and lives a peaceful life."(Rawdat al-‘Uqala, p. 151)
✔ Allah is Sufficient for the One Who Relies on Him
"And whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will be sufficient for him."(Surah al-Talaq: 3)
✔ Avoid the Doubtful
If one has doubt whether something is halal or haram, it is better to avoid it.(Sahih Bukhari: 52; Sahih Muslim: 1599)
❖ Final Supplication
We pray that Allah grants us and all people the blessing of Iman, increases our faith, provides us with halal sustenance, and keeps us away from haram. May He keep us distant from anything contrary to the Qur’an and Sunnah, or even doubtful matters.O Allah! Grant us contentment and trust in You. Forgive all our sins. Ameen.
