Islamic Laws Regarding Profession And Earning

Islamic law as revealed from Doctrines of Allah (SWT) has laid down detailed rules and regulations regarding profession and earnings.

Islam has discouraged all persons from remaining unemployed without reason. Islam encourages all to work for earning livelihood. The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said, "It is not lawful for the rich people or for healthy people to accept aid and assistance from others." (Narrated in the book of tradition of Tirmidhi).

Islamic law has therefore prohibited begging except for a person in grave difficulties.

Islam considers labor as very dignified. Islam has, therefore, asked the Muslims to engage in agriculture, industry, trade, service or any other profession except the prohibited one.

The Quran has encouraged agriculture in many of its verses.

"He (Allah) has sent down rain from the sky and brought out thereby all kinds of vegetation, green (crops) out of which grain is produced" (6: 99).

Allah has said,

"Man should look into his food. We have sent down required rain, then earth has been made to absorb the water and thereby We have produced crops, grapes and vegetables" (80 : 24-28).

However, Islam has not permitted cultivation of plants, eating of which has been prohibited. Cultivating Opium and Cannabis is, therefore, prohibited. Cultivation of any prohibited thing for sale to non-Muslims is also prohibited.

Islamic law has encouraged industry. According to Imam Gazzali and many other scholars, establishment of necessary industry is a communal obligation (Fard al Kifaya). Some people must establish necessary industry, otherwise all people would be treated as sinners in that the community has as a whole neglected an obligation causing suffering to the people. There are many verses in the Quran indicating the importance of industry. One chapter of the Quran has been named AI-Hadid which means Iron. The relevant verse says,

"Allah has created Iron, in it is great strength and good for mankind" (57 : 25).

Islam has also greatly encouraged trade and Industry. The Quran, the book of Allah, and the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) have encouraged trading. The Quran states,

"Allah has made trade and business lawful and has prohibited interest (2 : 275).

However, manufacturing and trading of prohibited goods is prohibited in Islamic law.

Taking public service or private service or employment is lawful in Islam. However, employment in a firm engaged in manufacturing of prohibited goods or services is prohibited. For instance, it is not lawful for a Muslim to take employment in a brewery, casino or dancing hall.

There are some professions which are not permissible in Islamic law. Islam has prohibited prostitution. Islam has imposed heavy punishment for adultery, whether consenting or otherwise, and for prostitution.

Islam does not approve things, which aggravate sexuality leading to violence against women. Islam, therefore, does not approve the profession of dancing or acting which encourages indecency.

Islam does not also approve the profession of statue making. Islam does not like anything, which may lead to worship of any human being.

Islam has also prohibited any profession connected with production and sale of hard drinks and intoxicants.

The laws of Islam are meant for good of mankind. Humanity can benefit by following the laws of Islam.

Based on Radio Talks of Shah Abdul Hannan, this series of brief articles "Social Laws of Islam" deals with some of the basic questions that we face in our daily life. The answers are concise and simple in form. We hope that this series will be of immense help to our visitors.