Why Should We Earn Wealth?

Why Should We Earn Wealth?

Wealth and riches are also a blessing from Allah Almighty when earned through lawful means, with good intentions, and spent in the path of Allah Almighty. Remember! Earning lawful wealth with a good intention is a cause of pre-eminence, while earning wealth with a bad intention is a cause of disgrace. The Merciful Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated: “Whosoever earns a lawful livelihood to refrain from begging, to provide for his family, and to treat his neighbour kindly, shall arrive on the Day of Judgement with his face shining like the full moon. However, he who seeks the world to increase wealth, to boast, and for ostentation, shall meet Allah Almighty in a state that He is displeased with him.”[1]

Under this blessed Hadith, Mufti Aḥmad Yār Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states:

Earning wealth should be for three objectives: (1) one's own self, (2) one's children, and (3) to fulfil the rights of neighbours; and all these actions should be for the sake of Allah Almighty and His Merciful Prophet (صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم). The first two are compulsory (wājib), meaning to protect oneself from begging and to fulfil the rights of children. The third, i.e., treating neighbours kindly through the use of money, is recommended (mustaḥabb), not compulsory (wājib), but its reward is certain.[2]

The erudite Hanafi jurist, Mufti Amjad ꜤAlī al-AꜤẓamī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states:

If someone earns more than what is sufficient in order to look after the poor and needy or to help his close relatives, this is recommended (mustaḥabb) and superior to voluntary worship. If he earns so that his honour and dignity increase through having more wealth, provided that pride and arrogance are not the intention, then this is permissible. However, if the mere accumulation of wealth or boasting is the objective, then it is prohibited.[3]

Dear traders! The purpose of earning wealth should be to save oneself from dependency on others, to fulfil the responsibility of providing for children, to attain the fortune of serving elderly parents, to protect oneself from begging, and to spend wealth in the way of Allah Almighty. This ensures that the effort made to earn wealth is also counted as being in the path of Allah Almighty.

As narrated by Sayyiduna KaꜤb b. ꜤUjrah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ:

A person passed before the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Upon seeing his vigour, the noble Companions رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُم submitted: “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! If only his vigour were in the path of Allah.”

So the holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “If he has come out to fulfil the needs of his small children, he is in the path of Allah; if he has come out to serve his elderly parents, he is in the path of Allah; if he has come out to protect himself, he is in the path of Allah; and if he has come out for ostentation and boasting, then he is in the path of Satan.”.[4]