HONEST EARNING

HONEST EARNING

The Honest Trader Will Be With The Prophets, The Truthful and The Martyrs:

It is related by Abu Saeed Khudri (RadiyAllahu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“The trader who plies his trade cleanly and honestly will rise, in the Hereafter, in the company of the Prophets (Alayhum assalaam), the Truthful, and the Martyrs.”

[Tirmizi, Daara'ni and Daar-Qutni]

Note: The same Tradition has been quoted by Ibn Majah, on the authority of Sayyidina Ibn Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhu).

Commentary:

Says the Qur’an:

“And whoever obeys Allah and the Messengers (a.s), they are with those whom Allah has blessed – of the Prophets (a.s.) and the truthful, and the martyrs, and the righteous, and an excellent company are they.”

(Al Nisaa 4:69)

The life of a trader is beset with numerous trials and temptations. He is, often, confronted with a situation in which there, apparently, is the danger of loss if he remains steadfast and follows the path of honesty, as enjoined by the Almighty, and a good chance of profit if he disregards the Divine commandments and allows himself to be guided solely by material considerations.

Thus, the trader who observes his duty to Allah in business dealings comes out successful in the trial prescribed by the Lord, and, for him, there is the promise that he will be in the company of the most favourite bondsmen of the Lord in After-life; the Prophets (a.s), the Truthful and the Martyrs. This will be the reward of the upright traders in the world to come.

DIGNITY OF LABOUR

It is related by Miqdaam ibn M’adi Karab (RadiyAllahu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“The cleanest food is that which has been earned by the labour of one’s hand. In fact, the Prophet Dawood (a.s.) used to work with his hands for his living.

[Bukhari]

Commentary:

It stresses the dignity of labour and cites the example of Prophet Dawood (a.s.) to bring home the food purchased from the earnings. It is told in the Qur’an that Prophet Dawood (a.s.) used to make Chain armour and, from the above Tradition, we, further, learn that he did it for a living.

Sayyidina Raafi’ ibn Khadeej (RadiyAllahu Anhu) narrates that a person (once) enquired from the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) which income was better and more clean. (What was a better way of earning one’s livelihood)?

“The one who works with his hands, and every trade that was (done) with honesty.”

Replied the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam).

[Musnad Ahmad]