Ways of The Prophet (S.A.W)

Lawful earning

Hadrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhum) narrated ALLAH ‘s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) as saying, “Trying to earn a lawful livelihood is an obligatory duty in addition to other duties which are obligatory.” [Baihaqi, Mishkat]

Hadrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated ALLAH’s Messenger as saying, “No man who acquires unlawful property and gives some of it in alms will have it accepted from him, neither does he receive a blessing when he spends it and if he leaves some of it behind him it will be his provision for hell. ALLAAH does not obliterate an evil deed by an evil one, but He obliterates an evil deed by a good one. Because what is impure does not clean that what is impure.” [Ahmad, Mishkat]

Hadrat Khaulah daughter of Qais (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) narrated of hearing ALLAH’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa sallam) say, “This richness is fresh and sweet. He who gets it in a legal manner and spends it where it should be spent will find it helpful for himself.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

Hadrat Ka’b bin Malik (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) is narrated to have said, “O Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa sallam), By way of repentance (refers to his withdrawal from the expedition to Tabuk without a valid reason) I divest myself of all my property as sadaqah for ALLAH and His Messenger”. ALLAH’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa sallam) replied, “Retain some of your property, for that will be better for you.” (because if a man possesses some property he is not worried by needs). So he said he would retain the portion he had at Khaiber. [Bukhari, Muslim]

This is part of a long tradition. Hadrat Huzifah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “It is not becoming of a Muslim that he should demean himself.” He was asked as to what it meant. He replied, “Demeaning one’s self is that one exposes himself to a calamity which he is unable to endure.” [Tirmizi]