The concept of livelihood in Islam

The world is a place that runs on numerous factors. In financial terms as well, it seeks to develop a balanced approach among its adherents. Islam wants us to be sensitive about the difference between legitimate and illegitimate means of generating wealth.

At the same time, it encourages us to strive and put in effort, and not seek abundance while sitting idle at home. Almost all the religions in the world call people to attend their places of worship; Islam, however, puts emphasis that once done with your prayers, move out and look for the blessings of your creator.

This even is in case of Friday prayers wherein clear instructions are stated in Quran to leave the mosque after prayers and strive for your livelihood. Holy Quran uses terms like Fadhl and Khair for such efforts.

As per a Hadith, reported by Abu Hurairah (ra), to strive for the legitimate livelihood is an obligation, right next to other fundamental obligations of Islam. One notable difference that we come across between Islam and extreme religious attitudes is that these extreme religious attitudes somehow appreciate to not get much involved in worldly affairs, while Islam differs in this case.

On a notable occasion, the companions of Prophet (PBUH) witnessed a person putting in a lot of effort for his livelihood and commented that wish he would be putting such effort for the sake of Allah. To this the prophet responded, if the person is doing so to feed himself and his family, he is in service of Allah only.

On another such incident, the Prophet said one of the people worth to be envied is someone who has been blessed with a plenty of wealth and he spends a lot from it. What can be more encouraging of the fact than the one that right after laying the foundation for Masjid-e-Nabwi, the Prophet established a market also and encouraged people to enthusiastically take part in business related endeavours.

It is pertinent to mention that the Holy Quran lists the benefits and perks of giving alms so often that it motivates every individual to strive and earn that much of wealth which makes him eligible to pay zakat himself. To add to this, the Prophet said that when a person spends on his family, it is counted as he is spending money to please Almighty.

When during the times of Hazrat Umar a few people decided to stay back in mosques all the time in the hope to receive their livelihood there only, the second Caliph strictly reprimanded them and warned them not to draw unfounded conclusions from the teachings of Islam. The prophet, time and again, would reiterate this statement that no one among you eats anything better than what he earns out of his hard work.

Islam wants every adherent of it to be an active member for the society who carries the potential to deliver good for the society. In a very thought-provoking hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) stated that it is far better for you to trek a mountain, cut down the woods, sell the same and earn your livelihood for yourself, instead of seeking help from people whether they grant or deny it.

Unfortunately, due to the skewed understanding of the concept of “Tawakkul” among Muslims, people unconsciously praise a 'modest' life style. But we must not forget that out of the ten companions who were granted the declaration for Heaven in this world, Hazrat Uthman and Hazrat Abdul-Rahman-Bin-Aauf were granted enormous wealth by Almighty.  It, therefore, should be part of our long-term strategies that we create new means of generating wealth and be the ones who are there to help others, not the ones seeking it.