Earning · PDF fileobjective of this book is to enable Muslims to have a better understanding...

Unleash your career.

by Saiyyidah Zai!

Earning Halal

www.EarningHalal.com

http://www.EarningHalal.com


Seeking halal earnings is an duty after the duty [Bayhaqī, Shuʿab al-īmān].

Abdullah ibn Masud, Radi-Allahu unhu narrates, The Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said: 'Seeking halal earning is a duty after the duty.' In other words working to earn a halal living is itself a religious obligation second in importance after the primary religious obligations like prayers, fasting and hajj.

طلب كسب احلالل فريضة بعد الفريضة




In the name of Allah , the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

PREFACEAbu Hurairah Radi-Allahu unhu. reported that the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said : A time will certainly come over the people when none will remain who will not devour usury. If he does not devour it, its vapor will overtake him. [Ahmed,Abu Dawood, Nisai,Ibn Majah].

One of the biggest challenges Muslims face in the 21st Century is the ability to have halal earnings. That is a job or employment where one can be confident that earnings are halal and tayyib (good). In the Qur’an and aHadith there are many, many references as to how one should provide for themselves and their family. There are also many ahadith that instruct us to have halal earnings.

What does that mean for today’s Muslims and how can we work to ensure that we are feeding ourselves and clothing ourselves with halal money?

This is a huge question and requires our immediate attention. Why so many of us are experiencing challenges, difficulties or feel that our duas are not being answered? I think it is linked to the lack of realizing what halal earnings are. And interestingly, it is essentially somewhat straightforward to understand.

It is essential for us to continuously review where our earnings are from and make sure our intentions and mindset towards our income are the right ones. Ensuring that we have the right intention and mindset for earning halal can be very challenging. This book will not go thorough sources of halal income in detail. The objective of this book is to enable Muslims to have a better understanding of what earning halal is. Further information will be available to consider sources and application in detail. Rather, this book will enable you to understand the duties we have as Muslims to ensure our earning is halal and ssociated with the right intention and mindset, inshaAllah.

May Allah facilitate Earning Halal for all Muslims.

Saiyyidah Zaidi© May 2013 www.EarningHalal.com



“It is He who made the earth tame for you - so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection.” [Qur’an Al Mulk, 15].

The fundamental attitude of Islam toward man's position in the world is that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala has made the earth for the benefit of man, to whom He has given control over it. It is the duty of man to profit from this favour and to exert himself to seek Allah's bounties throughout the earth.

This ayat provides us with guidance on how we can use the earth that Allah has provided for us as a source for income. Scholars have said that it is an obligation on humans to take advantage of this favour and to develop ourselves to seek Allah’s bounties throughout the earth.

Abdullah ibn Masud, Radi-Allahu unhu, narrated that the Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said: 'Seeking halal earning is a duty after the duty.'

Have you ever taken a moment to consider this? Essentially, the message is that working to earn a halal living is itself a religious obligation second in magnitude after the primary regular religious obligations like prayers, fasting and zakat.

There are three key messages relating to earning halal that can be drawn out of this Hadith:

• Earning Halal is a religious obligation.

• Earning must be through halal means.

• Effort to earn halal must not eclipse effort in the practice of principal religious duties.

This book will take you through these points one by one.

Earning Halal is a religious obligation.

The Hadith directs us to the Islamic way out of the apparent contradiction between the material and spiritual worlds. Humans see these worlds and our approach to them as miles apart with indulgence in the material world leading one away from the spiritual fulfillment. Many people seek to boost their spirituality by distance themselves from material pleasures; unfortunately this can sometimes be accompanied by a degree of self satisfaction for the sacrifice made. It can be said that there is a conflict between the material and spiritual world, but the fact that Allah

1 Shahadah and Hajj have not been included here as these pillars are not daily, weekly or monthly rituals.




The consideration of the potential conflict between spirituality and materiality has been a question for all religions and many in the past have suggested that those focused on spirituality end up becoming recluses in the pursuit of spirituality. There are also others take the other course making material pleasures the goal of thier life.

Western civilization today is the chief example of of the hunger for material goods and services with individuals never being satisfied with what they have bought or own. This no doubt takes its toll on the human spirit and morality. Recent research in the area of positive psychology demonstrates that a focus on materiality affects individual wellbeing and ability to flourish in this life.

As a way of life Islam encourages balance and a straight path for humans to follow with the balance acknowledging all parts of us (as individuals) with no conflict. It has been known for thousands of years that humans are both material and spiritual beings and trying to separate the two results in internal conflicts becoming apparent. The solution does not lie in denying the material needs and desires but in rejecting the idea that they have priority over spirituality and faith. They are part of being but not the reason or goal of being. As a result of this “conflict” Western and Eastern psychologists and philosophers have been searching for the meaning and purpose of life for thousands of years. The result seems to be that everyone agrees the problem is not necessarily money itself, but the love of it.

Allah tells us that wealth itself is not bad. In fact Qur'an refers to it as ' ... your wealth, which Allah has made for you a means of support.' [Al-Nisa, 4:5]. And another hadith praises the merits of 'the halal wealth of a pious person.' There is no doubt that one of the obligations upon the Muslim is that he earns a pure and halal sustenance for himself and his family. Abu Hurayrah Radi-Allahu unhu narrated that the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said:

"O People! Allah is al-Tayyib (Pure), and He only accepts that which is pure! Allah has commanded the believers what He has commanded the Messengers, for He said, 'O Messengers! Eat from the pure foods, and do right,' and He said, 'O you who believe! Eat from the pure and good foods We have given you."

Then the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned a traveller on a long journey, who is dishevelled and dusty, and he stretches forth his hands to the sky, saying, "O my Lord! O my Lord!" - while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully; how can he (expect to) be answered? It is noticed in this hadith that the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam emphasised this person's impure earnings by detailing the fact that his food, clothes, drink and nourishment were all obtained from unlawful sources.

2 Reported by Ahmad (2/328), Muslim (2/703), and al-Tirmidhi (5/220) from Abu Hurayrah.




From this hadith, we learn that both the Prophets and the believers have been commanded to eat from the good or the pure things. Purity is achieved when one earns his sustenance in a halal manner and then uses it to buy halal food. So, if a person buys pure food from stolen money, the scholars have said that this will not be accepted from them. Likewise, if one earns money from permissible means, then uses it to buy impermissible items, such as intoxicants, this too will not be accepted from them. Only when both of these conditions (halal and good) have been met - the way one earns money and the way one spends it - will Allah's acceptance be gained.

Another hadith affirms the above: “Whoever gives charity equivalent to a date, from his pure earnings and Allah only accepts pure then Allah will accept it with His right hand, then He will nurture it for its companion, like one of you nurtures his foal, until it becomes like a mountain."

So, charity that is given from impure earnings will not be accepted by Allah, no matter how much is given, whereas charity given from pure earnings will be accepted by Allah, even if equivalent to a date! Subhan Allah.

In addition, there are a number of narrations that signify that earning through halal is an obligation upon every Muslim. It is because of this that Islam encourages working. The taking of a profession is encouraged because it is one of the best ways that a person can ensure earning pure sustenance. Umar ibn al-Khattab said,

"I see a man that impresses me, so I ask, 'Does he have a profession (through which he earns money)?' So if they say, 'No,' then he falls from my eyes (and I do not respect him)."

The effort to earn a living is a religious obligation! Some people regard certain kinds of work or professions as distasteful. However, Prophet Muhammad Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam refused the rationality of this idea. He taught his Companions that a human being's dignity is associated with their work - any sort of work - and that real shame and disgrace consist of depending on other people's help. He said, It is better that a person should take a rope and bring a bundle of wood on his back to sell so that Allah may preserve his honour, than that he should beg from people, (regardless of) whether they give to him or refuse him. (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

3. Reported by al-Bukhari (#1410) and others. 4. There are various wordings of this narration, one of them being, "The seeking of halal sustenance is an obligation upon the Muslim." However, none of these narrations are authentic. Some scholars, such as al-Sakhawi, consider the hadith to be hasan due to all of its weak chains (see his al-Maqasid al-Hasanah, # 801), whereas others, such as al-Albani, hold it to be weak (see al-Mishkat, # 2781). In any case, the meaning of the hadith is without a doubt correct. 5. Kanz al-Ummal, (4/123)




The Prophet Muhammad Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: ““It is better for any of you to carry a load of firewood on his own back than to beg from someone else .” Riyadh-Us-Saleheen, Chapter 59, hadith 540.

Muslims can earn their living by agriculture, trade, or industry or by any profession or employment as long as it does not involve doing, supporting, or propagating anything haram.

Earning must be through halal means.

Therefore, our obligation is not just to make money but to make halal money.

Not every business idea or possible business initiative is beneficial for society. For Muslims the decision regarding right and wrong cannot be left to market forces. Right and wrong in our economic life, as in all aspects of life, must be determined by a higher source- either the Qur’an or sunnah. The shariah guides us as to the halal and haram in all aspects of life including business enterprises and employment, and at both individual and societal levels so we must follow the guidance.

At times the guidance may conflict with the customary habits of society. For example riba (interest), gambling, pornography, and alcohol are haram, and no matter how attractive the financial rewards of engaging related enterprises may seem, a believing Muslim must refrain from them. This is the economic and psychological struggle of a believer.

It is obvious why it should be carried out as a religious obligation. At an individual level the obligation is to engage in halal professions and businesses and at the collective level the obligation is to establish a system that facilitates such individual efforts and discourages their opposite.

Sometimes we lose the balance between obligations at the two levels. Obviously our ultimate responsibility is at the individual level and in the hereafter we will be asked about what we did in our personal lives. At the same time, in the era of multi-national companies it is obvious that individual effort alone cannot guide the economic life of a society in the direction of it being halal even in countries where the majority of the population is Muslim.

The Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam was not embarrassed or ashamed to inform his companions that he used to work as a shepherd in return for a very small amount of money.




"I sometimes return home to my family, and I find a date fallen on my bed, so I pick it up to eat it, but then I fear that it might be from charity, so I throw it away."

There are two aspects to halal sustenance:

• the first involving earning through halal means (as discussed above),

• and the second involving spending only on halal items to ensure wholesomeness (the good aspect from halal and tayyab (good)) in what a person eats, drinks and is nurtured with.

On another occasion, the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam could not sleep all night, tossing and turning. So his wife asked him, "O Messenger of Allah! You spent the night awake, tossing and turning?" He replied, "I found a date last night under my side, and ate it. (Then I remembered) that we had (in our house) some dates that were meant for charity. So I feared that the date (that I ate) was of it." SubhanAllah!

The Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam ate one date, forgetting that he had some dates in his house that were meant to be distributed to the poor, and this caused him to have a sleepless night for fear that it might have been from the dates of charity! So how is it that this accidental fragment of food, which a person would hope to have been forgiven, on the basis of innocent intention even if it had been haram, caused Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam so much unrest and discomfort, while one of us might earn his or her entire living through means that are haram without a doubt, and yet still enjoy a deep sleep at night?

The Companions Radi-Allahu unhuma, were also careful about how they earned their sustenance. Once, a servant of Abu Bakr Radi-Allahu unhu,’s came to him with some food, so he ate from it. The servant then asked him, "Do you know where this came from?" He replied, "From where?" The servant responded, "I practiced astrology once in the times of Jahiliyyah - even though I am not an expert in it, except that I managed to trick the other person. So he paid me, and gave me what you ate!" Hearing this, Abu Bakr Radi-Allahu unhu, put his finger in his mouth and forced himself to vomit up the food, until there was nothing left in his stomach.

6 Reported by al-Bukhari (# 232) and Muslim (# 1069). It was not allowed for the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam or his family to eat from charity.7. Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad (2/183 and 193), and considered authentic by al-Arna'ut8. Meaning that he was not an astrologer by profession, but pretended to be one in order to gain some money. The practice of astrology is itself a form of shirk, thus this money was tainted by the evil of astrology and the evil of cheating.9. al-Mishkat(# 2786)




A similar incident is reported from 'Umar ibn al-Khattab Radi-Allahu unhu, when he was given some milk by his servant, and then found out that the milk was from the camels that were meant for charity. In yet another indication of the piety of the early generations, Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqas RA, one of the famous Companions of the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was once asked, "Why is it that your prayers are responded to, amongst all of the other Companions?" So he replied, "I do not raise to my mouth a morsel except that I know where it came from and where it came out of."

Effort to earn halal must not overshadow principal religious duties.

Halal earnings are clearly very important and significant part of how we obtain our sustenance. However, even if we are working in a purely halal business we should not miss the higher obligations (like prayer, fasting or Hajj) for the sake of work.

The initial hadith in this book may assist us setting our priorities correctly:

The economic endeavor is a duty after the primary duties of prayers, fasting, etc.

And let us remember, in economics, as well as in religion, getting the priorities right is part of being right. It is as simple as that.

General Rule in Earning a Living

The general rule in regard to earning a living is that Islam does not permit Muslims to earn money in any way they like. Islam clearly differentiates between lawful and unlawful methods based on the criterion of the overall well-being of the society.

The Prophet Muhammad Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said “That which is lawful is clear, and that which is unlawful is also quite clear. Between these two is that which is ambiguous, which most people do not know. One who avoids the doubtful safeguards his faith and his honor.” Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Hadith 588.

Any transaction which is fair and beneficial to all the parties concerned and which is transacted by mutual consent is lawful.

10. al-Mishkat (# 2788). It is not allowed to benefit from the animals that are given in charity unless the Muslim ruler distributes it to those that deserve it. 11. Shark al-Arbdin, p. 275




“And Allah wants to lighten for you [your difficulties]; and mankind was created weak. O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” (An Nisa, 29-30)

This verse lays down two conditions for a transaction:

• the transaction should be with the mutual consent of the two parties;

• the benefit to one party should not be a loss to the other.

In explaining the meaning of "Do not kill yourselves," scholars give two interpretations. The first is, "Do not kill each other," and the second is, "do not kill yourselves by your own hands." In either case, a person who makes someone else suffer for their own benefit is, in effect, shedding the blood of their brother or sister and opening the door for others to do the same to then. This can lead to their own ultimate ruin.

Intentions for Earning Halal.

Do you know why you work? Have you ever taken a moment or two to really think about this?

Thinking about your reason for going to work or running your own business and establishing your intention can have a massive impact on the reward you receive, and on whether your work and earnings are halal. Consider all the reasons for why it is important for you to have halal earnings and how you can purify your earnings by having the right intention inshaAllah. For example, if you are going to work so that you can spend your money on a lavish holiday or buy a nice house, car or phone to show off then it will have an impact on the reward you receive. If you are working for a different reason then that will be the reward also. Take a look at the intentions below and then spend a few minutes considering why you, yourself are working, whether it be for an employer, voluntarily or for yourself. Examples of things you might want to consider are listed below, but really get to the heart of your own intention for working and always renew your intention as regularly as you can.




Sincerity and Intention.

Sincerity is the freeing of one's intentions from all impurities in order to come nearer to Allah. It is to ensure that the intentions behind all acts of worship and obedience to Allah are exclusively for His pleasure. It is the perpetual contemplation of the Creator, to the extent that one forgets the creation. It is a condition for Allah's acceptance of good deeds performed in accordance with the sunnah of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah has commanded this in the Qur'an:

“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah , [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” [Al Bayyinah,5]

Abu Umama Radi-Allahu unhu has related that a man once came to the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam and said, "What of a man who joined us in the fighting, his intention being for fame and booty?" The Prophet said, "He receives nothing." The man repeated the question three times and each time the Prophet said, "He receives nothing". Then he said, "Allah only accepts actions that are intended purely for His Pleasure."

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri Radi-Allahu unhu related that the Prophet (saw) said in his khutba during the farewell pilgrimage, "Allah will bless whoever hears these words and whoever understands them, for it may be that those who pass on this knowledge are not those who will understand it the best. There are three things concerning which the heart of a believer should feel no enmity or malice:

• devoting one's actions to Allah, • giving counsel to the Imams of the Muslims, • and being loyal to the majority.”

What is meant here is that these three things strengthen the heart, and whoever distinguishes himself in them will have a heart purified from all manner of deceit, corruption and evil.

A servant can only free himself from shaytan through sincere devotion, for Allah tells us in the Qur’an that Iblis said to Him: [Iblees] said, "By your might, I will surely mislead them all "Except those of Your servants who are sincere." [Sad:82-83]

12. Sahih, an-Nisa'i, Kitab al-Jihad, 6/25; al Hafidh ibn Hajar, Fath al-Qadir, 6/28. 13. Sahih, Ibn Ma'jah; also Ibn Hibban, Marwarid adh-Dham'an, p.47, on the authority of Zaid ibn Thabit.




It has been related that a righteous man used to say, "O self, be devout and you will be pure." When any worldly fortune, in which the self finds comfort and towards which the heart inclines, intrudes upon our worship, then it impairs the purity of our efforts and ruins our sincerity. Man is preoccupied with his good fortune and immersed in his desires and appetites; rarely are his actions or acts of worship free of temporary objectives and desires of this kind. For this reason it has been said that whoever secures a single moment of pure devotion to Allah in his life will survive.

Umar bin Al Khattab Radi-Allahu unhu narrated “I heard Allah's Messenger Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”




Conclusion

In conclusion, the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam gave an example contrasting the person who takes from this world excessively, not caring how he earns his money, with the person who takes from it moderately, ensuring that his earnings are halal. He Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "What I fear for you after me (is) what will be given to you from the magnificence and beauty of this world, except that good never brings about evil. The fruits that are harvested in spring cause death (for the animal that eats it), or brings it close to death, except for the one that eats khadir. So when it (the animal) eats this until its stomach is full, it faces the sun and releases its bowels and urinates (i.e., with ease), then pastures again. And verily this money is enticing and sweet.

So how great is the Muslim companion (to it), who gives it to the poor and the orphan and the way-farer. So he who acquires it justly, and puts it in its proper place, then how great a helper it is! But he who takes it unjustly, is like the one who eats but is never satisfied, and it will be a witness against him on the Day of Judgement."

In this hadith, the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam creates a similarity between the one who does not care how he earns and takes everything he finds like the animal that eats from all types of crops in the spring. Spring is the season that gives crops which are generally not suitable for animals to eat. So this is an indication of a greedy person, whose only desire is to increase his or her wealth, regardless of the consequences. Such a person is never satisfied, but rather eats, and eats, and eats, until he or she is destroyed, or is almost about to be destroyed, just like the animal that eats excessively. However, the wise person is one who selects to earn sustenance with care, and picks the right types of food to eat, only takes what is needed and does not become excessively involved with earning more than their needs. Such a person will live a comfortable life, just like the animal that eats the right crop in reasonable amounts. Significantly, such a person will be able to earn more when the need arises just like this animal will be able to pasture again when it needs to.

How beautiful, then, is this money when earned properly and spent properly! And how evil it is, when earned incorrectly, and spent incorrectly! So remember 'Seeking halal earning is a duty after the duty.' Prophet Muhammad Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Consider the source of your income, your intention and mindset and take a little time to think about answers to the following.

As a Muslim we believe that we have been created to please Allah. This is something that affects everything we do from our daily lives to major decisions that we make. Qur’an and sunnah are the sources from which the rules and regulations for Muslim life are derived. The area covered by the shariah.

14. A green crop that is not of the fanciest type of harvest.15. Reported by al-Bukhari (# 1465) and others.




Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Seeking halal earnings is an duty after the duty [Bayhaqī, Shuʿab al-īmān].

Abdullah ibn Masud, Radi-Allahu unhu narrates, The Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said: 'Seeking halal earning is a duty after the duty.' In other words working to earn a halal living is itself a religious obligation second in importance after the primary religious obligations like prayers, fasting and hajj.

طلب كسب احلالل فريضة بعد الفريضة




Bibliography

Khalid Baig’s Article Halal Earning.

“15 Ways to Increase Your Earnings” Yasir Qadhi

Al-Qaa'id ilaa Tasheehil 'Aqaa'id (The Foundation to Correcting the Beliefs) by Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Yahyaa al-Yamaani.

Fatawa Islamiyah, Islamic Verdicts, Darussalam.

Qur’an

Provisions of the Seekers.

The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, Yusuf Al Qardawi




Saiyyidah Zaidi’s approach to life is practical, pragmatic and professional.

Originally trained as an Architect, her career developed in local government where she reached the post of Director at a young age. After 12 years Saiyyidah decided to pursue her loves- empowering others to fulfill their potential through executive coaching and training. Saiyyidah works with a variety of clients from those who are partners in City of London legal practices through to entrepreneurs and individuals looking to be their best possible self. Saiyyidah is a Founding Fellow of the Harvard Institute of Coaching, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and a Fellow of the Association for Project Management. Saiyyidah is a Positive Psychologist completing her Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and studying Arabic Intensive and pre-Alimyia studies at Ebrahim College and with private tutors.

In 2010 Saiyyidah founded Working Muslim, an organisation which facilitates a dialogue between emplyers and Muslims to facilitate work faith balance. The aim of Working Muslim is to enable a balance in responsibility to work, faith, family and society. Saiyyidah has authored a number of guides in this regard which can be downloaded for free from Working Muslim, as well as published books for sale.

In early 2012 Saiyyidah delivered the pioneering ‘Chocolate Centred’ programme enabling professional Muslimas to acheive success in every other aspect of life and Passion Fruit: Practical Pragmatic steps to success in marriage.

Saiyyidah also developed and delivered the Journey Planner post Ramadan course in 2013 which was reported by international TV and newspapers.

Saiyyidah lives in London, UK with her husband and children.




Unleash your Career.

by Saiyyidah Zai!

Earning Halal




Earning · PDF fileobjective of this book is to enable Muslims to have a better understanding...

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