Relationship Between Hard Work in Business and Belief in Divine Decree (Taqdīr)Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 144
Question by: Muhammad Ismail
❖ Question:
Is making effort and striving in business to gain profit against belief in divine decree (taqdīr)?
In other words, if someone works hard to succeed in trade, does that affect his faith in taqdīr?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd...
Wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh
No, hard work is not against taqdīr — in fact, it is in complete harmony with it.
Taqdīr does not mean that one should sit idle and believe that whatever is destined will arrive on its own.
✔ Allah has ordained means and causes within taqdīr itself, and Islamic teachings instruct us to make effort and adopt lawful means.
❖ 1. Connection Between Taqdīr and Action
Ḥadīth Evidence:Narrated from ʿAwf ibn Mālik (RA):
The Prophet ﷺ once judged a case between two people. The one who lost said:
“Ḥasbiyallāh wa niʿma al-wakīl” (Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs).
The Prophet ﷺ responded:
“Allah dislikes helplessness (i.e., laziness).
You should act with wisdom and effort, and only when you are overpowered should you say:
‘Ḥasbiyallāh wa niʿma al-wakīl.’”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3627, Mishkāt: 2/328)
✔ This ḥadīth clearly proves that taking means and putting in effort is necessary.
✔ Making effort is not contradictory to taqdīr, but is in fact a manifestation of true faith in it.
❖ 2. Examples from the Qur’ān and Ḥadīth
◈ Allah commands action, while the outcomes are linked to His decree.
Example:"Whoever maintains family ties, I increase his lifespan; and whoever does not, will not receive this blessing."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5986, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2557)
◈ Likewise, Allah says:
“Whoever strives, I will provide for him; and whoever does not, I will not.”
✔ This is a universal principle, even in matters of worldly sustenance.
And in the Qur’an:“Whoever obeys Allah will succeed, and whoever disobeys will face loss.”
(An-Nisāʾ: 13–14)
◈ Allah has interlinked taqdīr with lawful means:
If a person seeks rizq (provision) through ḥalāl effort, Allah will facilitate ease and success for him.
❖ 3. Effort in Business According to Islamic Teachings
◈ In Islam, engaging in trade and earning permissible profit is a commendable act.
◈ However, it must be done with balance — one must not become so consumed by earning that worship and religious obligations are neglected.
The Prophet ﷺ said:“Avoid shouting and arguing in the markets.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 4785, Musnad Aḥmad: 17941)
✔ This shows that ethical conduct, honesty, and patience must be upheld in business.
✔ Commerce should reflect discipline, good manners, and trustworthiness — hallmarks of a true believer.
❖ 4. Summary of Key Points
✔ Hard work in business is not against taqdīr, but in complete agreement with it.
✔ Allah has created a system of causes and results, so adopting lawful means is essential.
✔ Laziness and passivity are condemned in Islam.
✔ Wisdom, planning, and action are praiseworthy traits.
✔ After sincere effort, a person must place his trust in Allah, as ultimate success lies with Him.
❖ Conclusion
Making lawful effort in trade is not only permissible but actually recommended (mustaḥabb).
It is part of relying on Allah with action, not inaction.
Thus, striving in business is fully aligned with faith in taqdīr, not opposed to it.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
