“And We have made the day for [seeking] a livelihood.” — Sūrah al-Nabaʾ (78:11)
The Qurʾān establishes a clear principle: the daytime is a blessing designed for work, productivity, and earning a lawful livelihood.
The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“No one has ever eaten better food than that which he has earned by working with his own hands. The Prophet of Allāh, Dāwūd (David), used to eat from the earnings of his manual labour.” — Sahih al-Bukhari #2072
This authentic ḥadīth highlights the virtue of honest work in Islām and the dignity of earning through personal effort. Even the Prophet Dāwūd (ʿalayhi al-salām) worked with his own hands, setting a timeless example of self-reliance, productivity, and lawful earnings.
The Importance of Earning a Halal Livelihood in Islam
In Islām, earning a ḥalāl (lawful) livelihood through honest work is not merely permissible—it is highly encouraged and considered an act of worship when done with the correct intention. Seeking provision (rizq), engaging in business, trade, employment, or craftsmanship are all praiseworthy pursuits. They enable a Muslim to:
Provide for their family responsibly
Contribute positively to society
Strengthen the Muslim community
Avoid dependency and idleness
Islamic teachings on work and business emphasise integrity, trustworthiness, and excellence (iḥsān). Productive work benefits not only the individual but also the wider community, reinforcing social and economic stability.
The Virtue of Business, Trade, and Skilled Work
This book is a valuable resource on the Islamic perspective of work, trade, and earning a wholesome income. It compiles verses from the Qurʾān, authentic narrations from Sahih al-Bukhari and other sources, as well as statements from esteemed scholars and the early generations of Muslims (Salaf).
The work emphasises:
The virtue of lawful earnings (kasb ḥalāl)
The honour found in business and trade in Islām
The responsibility of Muslims to avoid laziness and idleness
The importance of mastering a skill or profession
Working, trading, and developing expertise are qualities of a strong believer. Through lawful earnings, a Muslim supports themselves, strengthens their family, aids Islām, and contributes to the broader Muslim ummah.
Imām Abū Bakr al-Khallāl and His Scholarly Legacy
Abu Bakr al-Khallal was a distinguished scholar of Islām and a leading authority in the Hanbali school of jurisprudence. He travelled extensively in pursuit of knowledge, gathering and preserving the teachings and legal verdicts of Ahmad ibn Hanbal.
He authored numerous scholarly works and devoted his life to collecting, documenting, and organising the legal rulings of Imām Aḥmad wherever he could find them. His efforts played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Hanbali fiqh for future generations.
By returning to these foundational Islamic teachings on work, lawful income, and responsibility, Muslims can build productive lives rooted in faith, integrity, and service to their communities.
