In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

‘Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s), his blessed descendents and noble companions.’

                                                                      Aameen.

SUNNATS PERTAING TO EARNING A HALAL LIVELIHOOD

S.1. Nabi SAW has said that the seeking of halal livelihood is compulsory (fard) after the other compulsory acts (faraid) like Salah, fasting, Hajj etc. (Baihaqi-S.K.-Vol.2: Pg. 17)

Note: The above Hadith clearly reveals:

a) That to earn wealth is a responsibility upon that person who is in need (i.e. the person who does not have the necessities of life either for himself or his dependents).

b) If one has the means of providing for oneself and those under one’s care without working, then it is not compulsory for such a person to work.

c) Work should not hamper or hinder one from fulfilling one’s other Islamic obligations, e.g. Salah, fasting, enjoining good and forbidding evil, etc.

S.2. One must always be honest in all one’s business dealings. (Baihaqi- S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 18)

S.3. An honest businessman will be in the shade of the throne of Allah. (At-Targhib - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 19)

S.4. When earning a halal livelihood two important principles have to always be borne in mind:

a. The method of earning has to be halal; and

b. One must not become so involved and engrossed in earning that one forgets about Allah and His commandments or even relegate it to second in importance. (S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 17)

S.5. Allah SWT loves to see tiredness on His servant caused due to working to earn a halal livelihood. (Kanzul 'Ummal - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 17)

S.6. Business is a means of earning halal sustenance. (Baihaqi - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 18)

S.7. Earning by means of one’s own hands is a Sunnah of the Prophets. (Bukhari- S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 18)

S.8. Allah loves gentleness at the time of buying, selling and making decisions. (Bukhari-S.K. -Vol. 2: Pg. 39)

Note: Patience, humility, tolerance and the habit of talking gently are essential for successfully conducting business.

S.9. Our Nabi SAW has said that the trade, i.e. earning by means of one’s own hands, e.g. as a carpenter, mechanic, together with business that is in accordance to the Shariah are the best forms of earning a livelihood. (Baihaqi-S.K.-Vol.2:Pg. 18-19)

S.10. An honest businessman will be the first to enter Paradise. (Kanzul ‘Ummal - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 20)

S.11. The following qualities in any individual makes his earning pure and good:

a. When purchasing not to criticize the goods being bought, (in order to reduce the price);

b. When selling not to over-price one’s stocks – to advertise as per reality is permissible;

c. Revealing any defect;

d. Not taking oaths;

e. Not speaking lies;

f. Being trustworthy;

g. Not indulging in breach of trust;

h. Not delaying in making payments. (S.K. Vol. 2: Pg. 20)

S.12. Nabi SAW has said: “Whoever enters a business area (marketplace) and recites the following Du’a :

La llaaha Illallaahu Wahdahu La Sharika Lahu, Lahul-mulku,

 Wa Lahul-hamdu Yuh-yi Wa Yumiitu Biyadihil-khair,

Wa Huwa ‘Alaa Kulli Shai’in Qadiir.

There is none worthy of worship but Allah Who is alone, He has no partner, His is the kingdom and for Him is all Praise. He gives life and causes death and in His hand is all good and He has power over everything.

Then Allah SWT grants him one million rewards, forgives one million of his sins and elevates him one million times.” (Tirmidhi - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 79)

S.13. Our Nabi SAW has said that Almighty Allah proclaims:

“I am a one third partner of a two man partnership until one of them acts dishonestly to his partner and, in such event, I then leave them.” (Abu Dawud-S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 51)

S.14. To weigh less (of an article) than the intending purchaser is entitled to, is a major sin – other nations before us, have perished because of this sin. (The Noble Qur ’an)

S.15. Our Nabi SAW has exhorted that we should refrain from taking qasms (oaths) unnecessarily for although it helps in the sale of one’s goods, it reduces the Barakah

(Blessings). (Muslim- S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 68)

S.16. Our Nabi SAW has said that delay in obtaining our sustenance should not induce us to engage in Haram (forbidden) practices (of acquiring wealth) as whatever Allah has (of provisions) can only be obtained by means of obedience and not sin. (At-Targhib - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 28)

S.17. Our Nabi SAW has said: “Whosoever accepts returned goods, Almighty Allah will wipe out (annul) his sins.” (Abu Dawud-S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 46)

S.18. Hadrat ‘A’isha (R.A) reports that our beloved Nabi  SAW has said that one should seek sustenance early at dawn as there is Barakah (blessings) during that time.

S.19. Our Nabi SAW has said that we should seek sustenance with ease (i.e. we should not overdo the search (for profit) since each person shall receive what has been ordained for him). Business should never become the be-all and end-all of our lives. Rather, it should be a means to a better Islamic life where all obligations are fulfilled. (At-Targhib - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 29)

S.20. Our Nabi SAW has said that whoever buys stolen goods, knowing such goods to have been stolen, becomes a party to this evil and sin. (Kanzul ‘Ummal- S .K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 69)

S.21. Our Nabi SAW has said that whosoever obtains haram wealth then:

1. If he keeps it there shall be no barakah (blessings) in it;

 2. If he spends it (in charity) there shall be no reward as Allah will not accept it; and

 3. If he dies leaving it behind then hell shall be his (final) result. (S.K.-Vol. 2 :Pg. 31)

S.22. Being blessed with abundance in wealth is not necessarily a sign of Allah’s happiness. However, being blessed with religion of Islam (whether knowledge or practice) is most definitely an indication of Allah SWT’s pleasure and happiness. (Haakim - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 27)

S.23. Nabi SAW has said that when one’s wealth increases, his worries increase and consequently his heart will not be at ease. Allah does not worry about such a person. On the other hand, Allah SWT is sufficient to take care of that person’s worldly worries who makes the Hereafter his concern and worry. (Haakim - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 27)

S.24. Our Nabi SAW advised not to get too involved in accumulating properties as it will reduce one’s worry and concern for the Hereafter. (Tirmidhi- S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 27)

S.25. The Prophet SAW compassionately advised that whoever sells his house or land should reinvest his money in some other property or else that money will not have Barakah in it. (Ibn Majah - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 48)

A/N ;)

Well, there’s more… so I guess I should say to be continued ;D

 With Duas and Salaam,

 abdurRahman (Gudi ;))