Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barkatuhu.
Dear friends,
I hope you are all well with the infinite mercy of Allah Almighty. I am also well and healthy to accept your prayers and the infinite blessings of Allah Almighty.
Illicit earnings destroy both this world and the hereafter
The basic teaching of Islam is that people should earn their lives in a halal and pure way, and feed their families with halal food. Allah Almighty has opened the way for people to earn halal and has strictly ordered them to stay away from haram. Because haram earnings cause serious harm not only in this world but also in the hereafter. Haram earnings destroy everything - human character, family, society and spiritual life. Therefore, the statements of the Quran, Hadith and Islamic thinkers on this matter are very clear.
Definition of Haram Earnings
Haram earnings are earnings earned in all ways that Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) have forbidden. Such as—
Interest (riba)
Bribery
Gambling
Theft, robbery or fraud
False advertising or underweight
Immoral trade
Forbidden trade (drugs, counterfeit notes, human trafficking, etc.)
Unlawfully consuming the rights of others, etc.
These earnings not only destroy the purity of money, but also pollute the heart, conscience and the Hereafter of the earner.
The Quran's clear warning about haram earnings
In the Quran, Allah has repeatedly taught that haram earnings bring destruction to people. There is a strict prohibition especially on usury and fraud. Allah says—
“O you who believe! Do not consume your wealth among yourselves unjustly.” (Surah An-Nisa: 29)
In this verse, Allah directly declares that taking money by unjust means is completely prohibited. That is, cheating, stealing, bribery, interest—all are forbidden.
In another verse, Allah says—
“The usurers will rise on the Day of Judgment like a madman possessed by Satan.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 275)
This verse proves that the one who earns unlawfully will face a terrible punishment not only in this world but also in the Hereafter.
The consequences of unlawful earning in the Hadith
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave a great warning about unlawful earning. In a famous Hadith, he said—
“He who eats unlawful food, Hell is more suitable for him.” (Tabarani)
In another Hadith, it is mentioned—
“Allah Almighty accepts only pure things. In order for a person’s supplication to be accepted, he should eat lawful food.” (Muslim)
This Hadith proves—
No matter how much a person who is raised on unlawful earning worships, his supplications are prevented from being accepted.
Haram earning destroys the life of this world
1. The heart becomes restless
Wealth acquired through unlawful means does not bring peace to a person's mind. No matter how rich he is, doubt, fear and anxiety remain in his heart. Because this matter eats away at a person's conscience.
2. Disturbance descends on the family
In a family where unlawful income flows, the blessings of mercy decrease. Quarrels between husband and wife, disobedience of children, diseases and ailments, financial unrest - these problems start to arise.
3. The soul and character of the child are ruined
When unlawful food enters the human body, the character becomes weak. The children start going astray. They move away from goodness, and are inclined towards sin.
4. Injustice, corruption and crime increase in the society
Haram income is not personal; its impact affects the entire society.
It spreads like an epidemic—
Bribery increases
Interest and black market spread
Rich-poor inequality increases
Justice disappears in society
As a result, peace and morality are destroyed in society.
Haram earnings also destroy the Hereafter
1. Prayers are not accepted
Halal food is the nourishment of worship, and haram worship is the destruction of haram. It is said in the Hadith, a person travels a long journey, raises his hands and prays, but if his food, clothing and earnings are haram, Allah says—
“How will I accept his prayer?”
2. Deeds become worthless
If a person has haram in his stomach, the acceptance of his worship and good deeds is severely affected.
3. The punishment in the grave is severe
It is narrated in Islamic books—the grave of a person who earns haram is narrowed and he has to face severe punishment.
4. The harsh reckoning on the Day of Judgment
On the Day of Judgment, Allah will directly ask—
“Where did you earn and where did you spend it?”
If the earnings are unlawful, the consequences will be severe punishment.
Ways to avoid unlawful earnings
1. Develop an addiction to lawful earnings
Whatever work we do, we must first be sure whether it is lawful or not.
2. Avoid doubtful earnings
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said—
“Abandon doubtful things; in this the religion is safe.”
3. Repent
Those who have earned unlawful earnings in the past should—
Sincere repentance
Throw away unlawful money or distribute it among the lost people
Resolve to earn lawful earnings in the future
4. Trust in Allah
Whoever is content with lawful earnings, Allah opens the doors of sustenance for him. Allah’s promise—
“Whoever fears Allah, Allah will make for him a way out.” (Surah At-Talaq: 2)
Haram earnings are like an invisible fire that destroys the individual, family, society and the Hereafter. No matter how rich a person is, unlawful income cannot give him true happiness. Halal income is a source of peace, security, morality and blessings. Therefore, every believer should give importance to halal livelihood, stay away from haram and nourish his family with pure and halal food. Halal livelihood is the path to Allah's pleasure and one of the means leading to Paradise.
1012.214 SRY