Written by: Fadheelat Ash-Sheikh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Al-Hammad (may Allah preserve him)
Before receiving prophethood, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also worked as a shepherd for the people of Makkah, earning a few qirats. [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Trade: 2262]
Once, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, "What is the most pure and virtuous type of earning?" He replied:
"A man's earnings from his own labor and every trade that is conducted with honesty." [Musnad Ahmad, 4/141]
This means that the best type of earning is through one's own hard work, and the earnings from trade are also considered pure if done according to the principles of Shariah and with honesty. Working as a laborer is also a form of earning through one’s hands, and paying the laborer their due wages is an essential part of Islamic teachings, as mentioned in the Hadith:
"Pay the laborer their wages before their sweat dries." [Ibn Majah, Book of Mortgages: 2443]
If someone does not pay a laborer their due wages, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) will be their opponent on the Day of Judgment. The words are as follows:
"A person who employs a laborer and takes full work from them but does not pay them their due wages, I will be their opponent on the Day of Judgment." [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Business Transactions: 2227]
Hadith:
"No one has ever eaten food better than what they have earned with their own hands." [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Business Transactions: 2072]Explanation and Benefits:
There are three primary sources of livelihood: agriculture, trade, and craftsmanship. The earnings a person obtains through their own hands are described in the Hadith as pure and better. Even Prophet Dawood (peace be upon him) used to eat from the earnings of his own labor. [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Business Transactions: 2073]Before receiving prophethood, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also worked as a shepherd for the people of Makkah, earning a few qirats. [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Trade: 2262]
Once, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, "What is the most pure and virtuous type of earning?" He replied:
"A man's earnings from his own labor and every trade that is conducted with honesty." [Musnad Ahmad, 4/141]
This means that the best type of earning is through one's own hard work, and the earnings from trade are also considered pure if done according to the principles of Shariah and with honesty. Working as a laborer is also a form of earning through one’s hands, and paying the laborer their due wages is an essential part of Islamic teachings, as mentioned in the Hadith:
"Pay the laborer their wages before their sweat dries." [Ibn Majah, Book of Mortgages: 2443]
If someone does not pay a laborer their due wages, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) will be their opponent on the Day of Judgment. The words are as follows:
"A person who employs a laborer and takes full work from them but does not pay them their due wages, I will be their opponent on the Day of Judgment." [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Business Transactions: 2227]