This excerpt is taken from Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi's book Halal and Haram in Islam, translated into Urdu by Muhammad Tahir Naqqash.
Industry and Craftsmanship:
Islam has encouraged agriculture and described its virtues, and has also declared this service as a cause of reward. However, it has disliked that the activities of the Muslim community be devoted solely to agriculture, just as a mollusk remains inside its shell. Islam has disliked that its followers be content with only farming and follow behind the tails of oxen, because in such a case the community will not be able to face emerging dangers. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared it a cause of humiliation, and time has fully confirmed this. He (peace be upon him) said:
إذا تبايعتم بالعينة وأخذتم أذناب البقر ورضيتم بالزرع وتركتم الجهاد، سلط الله عليكم ذلا لا ينزعه عنكم حتى ترجعوا إلى دينكم
"When you start practicing 'Ainah' sales (a specific type of sale that leads to interest) and follow behind the tails of oxen, preferring agriculture and abandoning Jihad, then Allah will impose humiliation upon you and will not remove it until you return to your religion."
Reference: Abu Dawood, Book of Sales, Chapter on Prohibition of 'Ainah', Hadith: 3462
Therefore, alongside agriculture, industry, craftsmanship, and preparation for Jihad are also necessary.
Through these means, the needs of a pleasant life, a free and powerful nation, and a stable and self-sufficient government can be fulfilled. Industry and craftsmanship are not only legitimate services in Islam but, as scholars and Imams have said, they are a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah). This means that within the Islamic community, there should be a sufficient number of skilled workers and craftsmen so that the needs of the Islamic government are met and it can perform its duties properly. If there is such a deficiency in any field of industry or craft that no one is available to perform that service, then the entire community becomes sinful, especially the leaders and those responsible for decision-making.
Imam Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
"Fard Kifayah is every knowledge from which a person cannot be independent in worldly affairs, such as medicine, which is necessary for the preservation of the body, and arithmetic, which is necessary for transactions, wills, and inheritance distribution. These are such sciences that if a city becomes devoid of their experts, people will suffer. When someone engages in these tasks, the responsibility is lifted from others. Therefore, in our opinion, it should not be surprising that medicine and arithmetic are Fard Kifayah, and fundamental trades and industries also hold the status of Fard Kifayah. For example: plowing the land, making clothes, caring for animals, even spinning and sewing. If a city becomes devoid of spinners, destruction will rapidly approach the people, because the one who created the disease also created the cure, guided its use, and provided the means for it. Therefore, abandoning these and presenting oneself to destruction is not permissible."
The Quran has pointed to many industries and mentioned them as blessings. For example, regarding Prophet Dawood (peace be upon him), it says:
وَ أَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ 10 أَنِ اعْمَلْ سَبِغٰتٍ وَ قَدِّرْ فِى السَّرْدِ
"We made iron soft for him, saying, 'Make coats of armor and links of chain well-fitted.'"
Reference: Saba: 10-11
وَ عَلَّمْنٰهُ صَنْعَةَ لَبُوسٍ لَّكُمْ لِتُحْصِنَكُمْ مِّنْ بَأْسِكُمْ ۚ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ شٰكِرُونَ
"And We taught him the making of coats of armor to protect you from your [enemy] in battle. So will you be grateful?"
Reference: Al-Anbiya: 80
And regarding Prophet Sulaiman (peace be upon him), it says:
وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُ عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِ ۖ وَمِنَ الْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ ۖ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ 12 يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ ۚ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا ۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ
"And We caused a spring of molten copper to flow for him. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord. And if any of them turned away from Our command, We would make him taste the punishment of the Blaze. They made for him whatever he wished of sanctuaries, statues, large cooking pots, and stationary kettles. [We said], 'Work, O family of Dawood, in gratitude.'"
Reference: Saba: 12-13
Similarly, the Quran mentions Zul-Qarnain building a lofty iron wall and Prophet Nuh (Noah) building the ark, and many Surahs mention various types of hunting, such as fishing, hunting aquatic animals, and hunting land animals, as well as diving for pearls and corals.
Most importantly, the Quran has revealed the true value and worth of iron, which is unparalleled before in any religious or worldly book. It says:
وَ أَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَ مَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ
"And We sent down iron, in which is great military might and benefits for the people."
Reference: Al-Hadid: 25
Any skill or profession that fulfills the needs of society or brings real benefit is a righteous deed, provided the person adopts it with sincerity and skill, as Islam has commanded. Islam has honored many professions that people consider lowly. For example, those who herd goats are not respected by people, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
ما بعث الله نبيا إلا رعى الغنم، قالوا وأنت يا رسول الله؟ قال نعم كنت أرعاها على قراريط لأهل مكة
"Allah did not send any prophet who did not herd sheep."
The Companions said: O Messenger of Allah, you too? He said: "Yes, I used to herd the sheep of the people of Makkah for wages."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Hiring, Chapter on Herding Sheep for Wages, Hadith: 2262
Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets, used to herd sheep! And often, he did not own his own sheep but herded the sheep of the people of Makkah for a fixed wage. He told this story to his followers so that they would understand that honor and pride belong to those who work, not to the pleasure-seekers and idlers.
The Quran narrates the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) who worked for an old man for wages. This old man kept him for eight years on the condition that he would marry one of his daughters to him. Prophet Musa proved to be a very good servant and the old man's daughter's wisdom was correct:
قَالَتْ إِحْدٰىهُمَا يٰأَبَتِ اسْتَأْجِرْهُ ۖ إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الْأَمِينُ
"One of the two daughters said, 'O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.'"
Reference: Al-Qasas: 26
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that Prophet Dawood (peace be upon him) made armor, Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) practiced agriculture, Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) was a carpenter, Prophet Idris (peace be upon him) was a tailor, and Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) served as a shepherd.
Reference: Mustadrak Hakim (2/596) (Its chain is weak due to Abdul Munim, as Ahmad and others have rejected it)
Therefore, a Muslim should be proud of his profession because every prophet adopted some profession, and in an authentic hadith it is said:
ما أكل أحد طعاما قط خيرا من أن يأكل من عمل يده ۖ وإن نبي الله داود كان يأكل من عمل يده
"The best food is that which a man earns with his own hands, and the Prophet Dawood (peace be upon him) used to eat from the work of his own hands."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Sales, Chapter on Earning by One's Own Hands, Hadith: 2072
Forbidden Jobs and Professions:
However, there are some jobs and professions that Islam has declared forbidden for its followers. The reason for their prohibition is that these things are severely harmful to the society's beliefs, morals, honor, and cultural values.
Prostitution:
For example, Islam has declared adultery forbidden, but many Western countries have legalized this profession. They not only permit it but also issue official licenses and recognize prostitution as a profession like any other, granting rights to prostitutes. Meanwhile, Islam has struck at the root of this profession and does not allow any free woman or slave to use prostitution as a means of earning. Some people of ignorance used to impose a daily tax on slaves. This tax had to be paid to their owners regardless of how it was earned, and many slaves resorted to prostitution to pay it. Some of the ignorant even forced them into this work to gain a trivial worldly benefit and filthy, impure earnings. When Islam came, it lifted its sons and daughters out of this degradation, and Allah Almighty revealed this command:
وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا فَتَيٰتِكُمْ عَلَى الْبِغَاءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا لِّتَبْتَغُوا عَرَضَ الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا
“Do not compel your slave girls to prostitution when they desire chastity, so that you may gain worldly benefit from them.”
Reference: An-Nur: 33
And it is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that Abdullah bin Abi (the chief of the hypocrites) came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) with his slave girl, who was very beautiful and named Mu'adhah. He said: O Messenger of Allah! This slave girl belongs to such and such orphans. Will you allow her to commit adultery so that the orphans may benefit from her earnings? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said no.
Reference: This is a reprehensible act, narrated by Muslim in the Book of Tafsir, chapter on the verse (and do not compel your slave girls), Hadith: 3029 with different wording. For details, see Tafsir ad-Durr al-Manthur (5/46-47), Tafsir ar-Razi - vol. 23 p. 220
Thus, the Prophet (peace be upon him) completely forbade this filthy profession, whether its earnings benefit someone in need or no matter what necessity or good purpose is presented, so that the Islamic society remains free from such vile and deadly matters.
Dance and Sexual Frenzy:
Similarly, Islam does not approve of the profession of dancing, which arouses sexual feelings, nor does it approve of anything that creates sexual excitement in nature, such as: obscene songs, immodest acting, and other such indecent acts. Although people have named these things "art" and consider them as "progress," this use of words is highly misleading.
The reality is that Islam has declared every kind of sexual relationship forbidden except marriage, and every word and deed that opens the door to illicit relations has been declared forbidden. The miraculous style adopted by the Quran to explain the prohibition of adultery contains this very secret. Thus, it is stated:
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنٰى ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَ سَاءَ سَبِيلًا
"Do not approach adultery; indeed, it is an immorality and an evil way."
Reference: Al-Isra: 32
Meaning, the prohibition is not limited to adultery itself, but also forbids approaching it. The things we mentioned above, as well as those that people consider emotionally stimulating, are all things that bring one closer to this immorality, rather they encourage and incite it. How bad are the deeds that people commit!
The Making of Idols and Crosses, etc.:
Statues are forbidden in Islam, as we have already explained above, and the prohibition of making statues is even more severe. There is a narration in Sahih Bukhari where Saeed bin Abi Al-Hasan says:
كنت عند ابن عباس إذ جاءه رجل فقال يا ابن عباس إني رجل إنما معيشتى من صنعة يدى وإنى أصنع هذه التصاوير فقال ابن عباس لا أحدثك إلا ما سمعت من رسول الله سمعته يقول من صور صورة فإن الله يعذبه حتى ينفخ فيها الروح وليس بنافخ فيها أبدا فربا الرجل ربوة شديدة فقال ابن عباس ويحك إن أبيت إلا أن تصنع فعليك بهذا الشجر وكل شيء ليس فيه روح
"I was with Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) when a man came and said: 'O Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them)! My livelihood is craftsmanship and I make such pictures.' Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: 'I will tell you what I heard from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). I heard him say: "Whoever makes a picture, Allah will punish him until he breathes life into it, but he will never be able to breathe life into it."' Upon hearing this, the man's face changed. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said to him: 'If you insist on making pictures, then make pictures of trees or other inanimate objects.'"
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Sales: Chapter on Selling Pictures That Do Not Have a Soul, Hadith: 2225. Muslim, Book of Clothing: Chapter on the Prohibition of Pictures of Animals, Hadith: 2110
The same ruling applies to idols, the cross, and other similar things.
As for photographs, we have already explained that the closest thing to the spirit of Shariah is that they are permissible or at most can be considered disliked (makruh), provided they are not for inherently forbidden purposes, such as highlighting the parts of women that may cause temptation, or a picture showing a man kissing or embracing a woman, as well as pictures that are venerated and revered, such as pictures of angels, prophets, etc.
Intoxicating and Narcotic Intellect-Altering Substances Industry:
It has already been stated that Islam has declared any participation in the promotion of alcohol as forbidden. Whether it is made, distributed, or consumed. Whoever commits this is, according to the words of the Prophet ﷺ, accursed.
The prohibition of narcotic intellect-altering substances like hashish and opium is the same as that of intoxicating substances. The trade, distribution, and production of these substances are all forbidden. Similarly, Islam does not approve of a Muslim engaging in any industry or profession that is based on prohibition or promotes something forbidden.
