EARNINGS FROM HARD WORK

The Quran says that God said to His Messengers: “Messengers, eat what is wholesome.” (23:51) Pure sustenance leads to a pure soul. This is why Islam places great emphasis on earning and consuming lawful and pure provisions.

According to a narration, the Prophet of Islam said: “No one has ever eaten food better than that which he earned through the work of his own hands.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2072).

Similarly, in another narration from Musnad Ahmad, it is reported that someone asked the Prophet: “O Messenger of God, what is the purest form of earning?” He replied: “The work a person does with his own hands.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 17265).

Earnings from hard work are the true earnings. Anything obtained without effort is simply loot. What a person acquires through his own effort is his legitimate right. What is gained through wrong methods is actually someone else’s share, which a person has taken illegitimately without any right.

The word “hands” used in these narrations is symbolic. It refers to both physical and mental effort. In social activities, both types of effort are necessary, and both are legitimate forms of work. Whether a person earns through physical labour or intellectual effort, both types are applicable to these narrations. However, the work must genuinely involve effort.

Earning through hard work helps develop a pure and virtuous character in a person and creates a righteous environment in society. In this way, hard-earned income improves both individual and collective life.

In a society where people earn through their efforts, a just and fair environment will prevail. In contrast, in a society where people seek to gain without working, a criminal and corrupt atmosphere will arise.