Authored by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Islam gives immense importance to the purity of earnings. One of the signs of the Last Day, as foretold by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), is the widespread disregard for the lawful and unlawful in acquiring wealth.
❶ This is among the prophecies of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), as narrated in the Hadith:
"يـاتـي على الناس زمان لا يبالي المرء ما أخذ منه أمن الحلال أم من الحرام"
“A time will come upon the people when a man will not care from where he earns—whether from lawful or unlawful sources.”
[Bukhari: 2059, Book of Trade: Chapter on Those Who Do Not Mind How They Earn Their Wealth]
❷ It is narrated from Hazrat Mu'adh (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“A servant’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: about his life—how he spent it; about his youth—how he wore it out; about his wealth—how he earned it and how he spent it; and about his knowledge—what he did with it.”
[Hasan li ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 1726, Book of Trade: Chapter on Encouragement to Seek Lawful Earnings and Consume from It; Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman: 1875]
❸ It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"يا كعب بن عجرة ! إنه لا يدخل الجنة لحم نبت من سحت"
“O Ka'b bin Ujrah! Surely no flesh nourished by unlawful means will enter Paradise.”
[Sahih li ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 1728, Book of Trade: Chapter on Encouragement to Seek Lawful Earnings and Consume from It; Ibn Hibban in his Sahih: 5541]
❹ It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) that:
"أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يدخل الجنة جسد غذى بحرام"
“The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: A body nourished with unlawful food will not enter Paradise.”
[Sahih li ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 1730, Book of Trade: Chapter on Encouragement to Seek Lawful Earnings and Consume from It; Abu Ya'la: 1/83–84; Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman: 5759]
Summary:
The purity of one’s income holds a central place in Islam. Earnings derived from unlawful means render acts of worship void of blessings and can become a cause of rejection in the Hereafter. These Hadiths serve as a severe warning against the negligence of halal and haram in our financial dealings, urging Muslims to ensure their sustenance is obtained through lawful means.
✿ Neglecting Halal and Haram in Sources of Income
Islam gives immense importance to the purity of earnings. One of the signs of the Last Day, as foretold by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), is the widespread disregard for the lawful and unlawful in acquiring wealth.
❶ This is among the prophecies of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), as narrated in the Hadith:
"يـاتـي على الناس زمان لا يبالي المرء ما أخذ منه أمن الحلال أم من الحرام"
“A time will come upon the people when a man will not care from where he earns—whether from lawful or unlawful sources.”
[Bukhari: 2059, Book of Trade: Chapter on Those Who Do Not Mind How They Earn Their Wealth]
❷ It is narrated from Hazrat Mu'adh (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“A servant’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: about his life—how he spent it; about his youth—how he wore it out; about his wealth—how he earned it and how he spent it; and about his knowledge—what he did with it.”
[Hasan li ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 1726, Book of Trade: Chapter on Encouragement to Seek Lawful Earnings and Consume from It; Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman: 1875]
❸ It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"يا كعب بن عجرة ! إنه لا يدخل الجنة لحم نبت من سحت"
“O Ka'b bin Ujrah! Surely no flesh nourished by unlawful means will enter Paradise.”
[Sahih li ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 1728, Book of Trade: Chapter on Encouragement to Seek Lawful Earnings and Consume from It; Ibn Hibban in his Sahih: 5541]
❹ It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) that:
"أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يدخل الجنة جسد غذى بحرام"
“The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: A body nourished with unlawful food will not enter Paradise.”
[Sahih li ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 1730, Book of Trade: Chapter on Encouragement to Seek Lawful Earnings and Consume from It; Abu Ya'la: 1/83–84; Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman: 5759]
Summary:
The purity of one’s income holds a central place in Islam. Earnings derived from unlawful means render acts of worship void of blessings and can become a cause of rejection in the Hereafter. These Hadiths serve as a severe warning against the negligence of halal and haram in our financial dealings, urging Muslims to ensure their sustenance is obtained through lawful means.