Religion Islam is based on certain rules, and whoever breaks the rules will fall into the category of disbelievers, because the rules are set by the Creator of this universe. In Islam, there are things declared as Halal and there are things which are forbidden and declared as Haram. We as a Muslim and being a true believer should try to follow the things which are encouraged (Halal), and to strictly avoid the things which are discouraged (Haram) in Islam. Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) said: “Verily, the lawful (Halal) is clear and the unlawful (Haram) is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus, he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, and he who falls into doubtful matters will fall into the unlawful as the shepherd who pastures near a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Verily, every king has a sanctum and the sanctum of Allah is his prohibitions. Verily, in the body is a piece of flesh which, if sound, the entire body is sound, and if corrupt, the entire body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart.” [Sahih Bukhari 52, Sahih Muslim 1599] Islam clearly defines what permissible (Halal) is and prohibited (Haram). Every Muslim on earth must follow these guidelines to live a righteous and dignified life. Islam provides clear guidelines on what is permissible (Halal) and what is forbidden (Haram) in a Muslim’s life. These guidelines, derived from the Quran and Sunnah, help Muslims lead a righteous and ethical life. Every action in Islam falls into one of five categories: Halal (permissible), Haram (forbidden), Mustahabb (recommended), Makruh (discouraged), and Mubah (neutral). Halal means lawful or permissible in Islam. It applies to all aspects of life, including food, clothing, business transactions, and daily activities. Anything that aligns with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah is considered Halal. Quran has also clarified about what is forbidden to Muslims, Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 172-173: “O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah . But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful”. [2:172-173] It has been further explained in Surah Maidah, verse 3: “Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful”. [5:3] The above verses state the foods which are forbidden to Muslims. Since, the exceptions are always present in almost every matter, therefore Quran also leaves the gap for those who are dying from hunger, and thus they are allowed to eat whatever they find available to feed their hunger. Other than edible things, Quran has also mentioned the non-edible things which are haram. Allah says in Surah Al-Araf, verse 33: Say, “My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.” [7:33] In the above verse Allah has declared the deeds which are haram and at end of this verse Allah said that it is also haram to claim anything haram which is not considered as haram by Almighty Allah. Islam is not only the religion but it is the most proper way of living, based on certain rules and regulations. So, in order to make our standards of living good and as per to the teachings of Islam, we should avoid committing deeds which are forbidden by the Lord. Following Islamic principles ensures spiritual, physical, and social well-being. Ignoring them can lead to negative consequences in this life and the Hereafter. In this article, we will explore the Do’s and Don’ts in Islam according to the Quran and Hadith. Earning and spending money is essential for our living, but we do not live only for this. Man needs bread to live but he does not live for bread alone. The clear and comprehensive guidance of Islam gives human-beings a well-defined purpose and direction in life. We as a Muslim have a greater purpose in life. We are Allah’s Khalifah (agents) on earth. We not only have a body but we also have a soul and a conscience. Without our soul and conscience, we would be considered little more than animals. Islam does not interfere with the freedom of speech, work and earnings of an individual provided this freedom is not harmful to the greater of society. Those people who say that the purpose of life is to live comfortably, enjoy oneself heedlessly, and indulge oneself in pleasure, denigrate and insult the most valuable bounty of life, gift of consciousness, and bounty of reason, and what ghastly ingratitude they display. Every person will be rewarded [or punished] according to their attitude, appreciation and efforts during his stay on earth. None will be asked about the actions and beliefs of others, nor will anyone be asked regarding that which he was unaware of or incapable of doing. As the life here is considered as an examination for the individual, the death stage is considered as a resting period after the test. It could be easy for those who were faithful and dedicated or it could be grueling and horrible for the wicked. Reward and punishment will be in direct proportion to each person and it is only Allah, alone who will be the Final Judge over us all. A Muslim must earn his living in Halal (pure and recommended) ways and he or she should always bear in mind that what ever he or she does, it is known to Almighty Allah. Every individual will be accountable from his or her actions on the day of judgement (Quran, 4:7, 36:71). Almighty Allah says in Noble Quran, O, Believers! Eat of the good and pure (lawful) that, We have provided you with and be grateful to Allah, if you truly worship Him. According to one of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)’s tradition, supplications of three persons are accepted: the traveler, father’s supplication for his off spring, and supplication of the oppressed against the oppressor. According to yet another tradition, Allah (S.W.T) has appointed an angel, who day and night announces from Bait-ul-Maqdis that obligatory and supplementary prayers of a person, who eats Haram, will not be accepted. Yusuf ibn-e-Artaat (R.A) is quoted in Kitaab-ul-Kabaa’ir that when Shaitaan finds a youth busy in prayers and submitting to the obedience of Allah (S.W.T), he asks his friends to find about his food and drink. If it turns out to be Haraam, then there is nothing to worry about as his prayers and obedience is futile and wouldn’t be of any good to him.
“Let us Make dua for all Humans on this earth who are making haraam money, we pray that they find a halal alternative and also for those who are suffering in poverty”. (Aameen!)
The earning of the individual must be halal. The supplication of any individual will not be answered by Allah if he or she eats haram food i.e., he or she earns from haram (forbidden) means. Any earnings from the production, sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks are unlawful (Haraam), as are earnings from gambling, lotteries, interest (Riba) transactions, by falsehood, deceit, fraud, theft, robbery, burglary, deceitful acquisition of orphan’s property, Hoarding of food stuff and basic necessities, smuggling and artificial creation of shortages, earnings from brothels and from such other practices which are harmful to society. Any money earned from haram work or job is cursed by Almighty Allah. According to a tradition of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) there will be some people on the Day of Judgment whose virtues will match the size of the mount Tihama, meaning that they will have abundance of good deeds. But when they will stand before Allah (S.W.T), all their good deeds will be on no value, and they will be thrown into Hell Fire. Companions (R.A. Ajma’een) submitted, why will that happen Yaa Rasul Allah? Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) replied that they performed Salaat, observed fast, paid Zakah, and performed Hajj, but never saved themselves from Haraam, which ruined all their good deeds. (Kitaab-ul-Kabaa’ir). The Quran instructs Muslims to eat pure, wholesome and permissible (halal) food, while rejecting food that is deemed impure, prohibited and unlawful. In today’s so called modern society Haram is practiced in many ways, and majority is not even aware of it. Interest, bribery, cheating in commercial transactions, lying, disregards of duties of the self and rights of others, theft and larceny and many other Haram acts are a common practice. Knowledge is not scarce, but it is action which is missing. And the main reason is that our earnings are not honest, and our food and drink is not fair and pure. As a result we cannot practice virtue and are devoid of righteousness. Holy Qur’an and the Hadith asserting the importance of eating only Halal food, and stating what is Halal to eat and what is Haram to avoid: “O you who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if indeed He is The One you worship “Qur’an (2:172). Most Muslims are aware of and try to avoid major sins, such as murder, suicide, adultery, alcohol, gambling, harm oneself or others, yet millions of Muslims all over the world are doing exactly the opposite when it comes to Halal earning and put their life (faith) and family in danger. One of the many examples of this in modern times is men turning a blind eye to their daughters or wives regarding their earning. The earning from the job which stops us to offer prayers (in time), fasting, perform hajj and forces us to cross the limits prescribed by Islam is clearly Haraam. Islam teaches us that individual freedom may have to be sacrificed for the social good. At the individual level the obligation is to engage in Halal professions and businesses. At the collective level the obligation is to establish a system that facilitates such individual efforts and discourages their opposite. It is believed that nafs is the main hurdle in achieving righteous path. The problem is not money but the love of it. Wealth itself is not bad. In fact Holy Quran refers to it as, your wealth which Allah has made for you a means of support (Al-Nisa, 4:5). And another hadith praises the merits of the halal wealth of a pious person. The effort to earn halal living is not against spirituality, it is a religious obligation! It is unfortunate due to political disturbance or poverty many Muslim men and women living in different parts of the world are making money through haram ways. Difficulties and afflictions are a source of blessings from Allah, who might have chosen out of his eternal wisdom and mercy give a wake-up call to His rebellious and transgressing servants before it is too late. But many, who are too arrogant to mend their ways, may indulge in blame-game or passing the buck, blaming Allah and everybody else, except themselves, for what might have befallen them. Islam does not teach us to be involved in this type of lifestyle, but of course believers are mirrors for each other and when someone does something wrong; we should remind them of how to act righteous. It is the duty of the Government to take steps to root out corruption and all harmful pursuits even if they are economically lucrative. When we have the halal sources of living definitely haram ways of earning will not be preferred. It is the duty of the Muslims to provide the political, social and economical support to poor people, because we know that whatever Almighty Allah gave us, it is a trial for us and we must give to those in need. Muslims believe that life is a test for every individual. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, ‘he poor people will enter paradise 40 years before the rich people’ so if you are suffering, it’s a test and Inshaa Allah you will get help. Its interesting to see some poor people suffering and they ask Almighty Allah to make it a means of purifying themselves and on the other extreme there are those people who have so much but don’t thank Allah. In brief, Islam provides clear guidelines on what is Halal and Haram, ensuring a balanced, ethical, and spiritually fulfilling life. Following these guidelines leads to peace and success in both this world and the Hereafter. Muslims are encouraged to seek knowledge, follow the Quran and Hadith, and strive for righteousness. The life of the Muslim revolves around the concept of Halal. Let us Make dua for all Humans on this earth who are making haraam money, we pray that they find a halal alternative and also for those who are suffering in poverty. (Aameen!)
(Authors write regularly on “Islamic Topics” exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
