Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, today’s topic of discussion is the importance of halal earning or halal income in Islam.
Importance of halal earning in Islam
A. Earning halal income is an important act of worship.
Allah Almighty created man for His worship. Earning lawful income is one of His servants’ most important acts of worship. The Quran states in this regard:
“So seek your sustenance from Allah, worship Him, and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned.” (Surah Al-‘Ankabut: 29:17). Importance of halal earning in Islam.
B. One will be asked about the source of income on the Day of Judgment.
On the Day of Judgment, Adam’s son will be held accountable for the source of his earnings. Therefore, lawful earnings are an important matter for a believer. This is mentioned in the Hadith, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said:
“On the Day of Judgment, the son of Adam will not be allowed to move a single step from his place without answering five questions: 1. How he spent his life, 2. How he spent his youth, 3. And how he earned wealth, 4. How he spent it, 5. Whether he acted according to the knowledge of the religion he acquired.” (Imam Tirmidhi, Sunan, B-4, Hadith No. 2417) Importance of halal earning in Islam.
C. Prerequisites for acceptance of worship
If one worships Allah but his earnings are not lawful, this will not be acceptable to Allah. Therefore, lawful earnings are a prerequisite for the acceptance of worship. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“Indeed, Allah is pure. He accepts only pure things. He has commanded the believers with what He commanded the Messengers.” Allah Almighty said, “O you who believe, eat of the pure things that We have provided for you.” Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) mentioned a man who, while on a long journey, with disheveled hair and a dusty, tired body, raises his hands to the sky and calls out to Allah, “O my Lord, O my Lord,” while what he eats is forbidden, what he drinks is prohibited, what he wears is forbidden, and he gets his sustenance from forbidden things. So, how will his supplication be accepted?” (Imam Muslim, Sahih, B-3, p. 85, Hadith No. 2393). Importance of halal earning in Islam.
4. Earning halal income is like going out in the path of Allah.
To earn halal income, one may have to go abroad if necessary. That is why it is described in the Quran as going out in the way of Allah along with earning halal income. Allah the Almighty says,
“And some travel in the land seeking the bounty of Allah, and some fight in the way of Allah.” (Surah Al-Muzzammil: 73:20) Importance of halal earning in Islam.
E. Halal earnings are not aversion to the Hereafter.
Allah has created a way for His servants to earn lawfully in this world. Therefore, doing lawful work, business, or anything else to earn money is not a distraction from the Hereafter. Allah says,
“And seek the abode of the Hereafter with what Allah has given you, but do not forget your share of this world. Be generous as Allah has been generous to you. And do not seek corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not love the corrupters. (Surah Al-Qasas: 28:77) Importance of halal earning in Islam.
F. Halal earnings are the way to attain Paradise.
A person has two lives, one in this world and the other in the Hereafter. Therefore, whoever earns his living through lawful means, even if he is in trouble in this world, will go to Paradise in the Hereafter. It is narrated in a hadith on the authority of Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“The one who eats halal food and acts upon the Sunnah, and people are safe from his evil, will enter Paradise.” (Imam Tirmidhi, Al-Sunan, B-4, p. 669, Hadith No. 2520, Hakim declared the Hadith Sahih, Da’eef according to Albani.) Importance of halal earning in Islam.
G. Earning halal income is one of the best achievements
Having the opportunity or ability to earn halal income in this world is one of the greatest blessings of Allah. Therefore, those who earn halal income will go to Paradise in the Hereafter. And those who earn illegally, even if they accumulate wealth in this world, will face terrible punishment and torment in the Hereafter. It is stated in the Hadith,
“When you have four things, even if you have nothing else in the world, it will not matter. They are: safeguarding trusts, speaking the truth, good character, and eating food with lawful earnings.” (Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad, B-2, p. 177, Hadith No. 6652) Importance of halal earning in Islam.
