Sunnats and Aadaab which every person needs to adhere to in his individual life – 5

13. Ensure that you eat only halaal and your earnings are also halaal. Refrain from eating doubtful or haraam food or earning doubtful or haraam income. Through eating haraam food, the evil consequence of the haraam will be seen in one’s actions and one’s life.

عن أبي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: أيها الناس إن الله طيب لا يقبل إلا طيبا وإن الله أمر المؤمنين بما أمر به المرسلين فقال: يأيها الرسل كلوا من الطيبت واعملوا صالحا، إني بما تعملون عليم وقال: يأيها الذين آمنوا كلوا من طيبت ما رزقنكم ثم ذكر الرجل يطيل السفر أشعث أغبر، يمد يديه إلى السماء، يا رب، يا رب، ومطعمه حرام، ومشربه حرام، وملبسه حرام، وغذي بالحرام، فأنى يستجاب لذلك؟ (صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 1015)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “O people! Indeed Allah Ta’ala is most pure; He only accepts that which is pure. Indeed Allah Ta’ala has given the same command to the believers that He gave to the Ambiyaa (alayhimus salaam). Allah Ta’ala said (commanding them), ‘O Rasools! Eat from that which is pure and carry out righteous deeds, indeed I have complete knowledge of all that you do.’ Allah Ta’ala also said, ‘O you who believe! Eat of the pure things that We have provided for you.’

Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) then mentioned (the example of) a man travelling for a lengthy distance. His hair is dishevelled and he is covered in dust. He raises his hands to the sky, calling out in dua, “O my Rabb! O my Rabb!” However, his food is haraam, and his drink is haraam, and his clothing is haraam, and he was nourished with haaram, so how can his dua be answered?”

عن كعب بن عجرة، قال: قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:… يا كعب بن عجرة، إنه لا يربو لحم نبت من سحت إلا كانت النار أولى به. (سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 614)

Hazrat Kab bin Ujrah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “…O Kab bin Ujrah! That flesh (body) that has been nourished with haraam – the fire of Jahannum is more worthy of it.”

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال يأتي على الناس زمان لا يبالي المرء ما أخذ منه أمن الحلال أم من الحرام (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 2059)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “A time will dawn upon the people (before Qiyaamah) when no one will be concerned about his income, whether it is from a halaal source or a haraam source.”

14. In whichever field one is working in or one is employed (e.g. one is a doctor, lawyer, businessman, dentist, barber, accountant, jeweller, etc.), one should acquire the necessary knowledge of deen that relates to that field.

Through acquiring the knowledge of deen that relates to that field, one’s actions will conform to shariah and one’s earnings will be halaal. For this, one should refer to the rightly guided ulama and acquire the knowledge of deen from them.

Allah Ta‘ala says,

فَسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ‎(الأنبياء:7)

“Ask the people of knowledge if you do not know”.

عن العلاء بن عبد الرحمن بن يعقوب، عن أبيه، عن جده، قال: قال عمر بن الخطاب: لا يبع في سوقنا إلا من قد تفقه في الدين (سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 487)

It is reported that Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) said, “No person should do business in our marketplace unless he has acquired the knowledge of deen (relating to buying, selling, etc.).”

عن أنس بن مالك قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: طلب العلم فريضة على كل مسلم (سنن ابن ماجة، الرقم: 224)

Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Seeking knowledge (relating to whatever field one is involved in) is compulsory upon every Muslim.”

15. Before embarking on any important matter in one’s life, one should consult with one’s elders and people of experience. One should also make istikhaara in regard to that matter.

Consulting with one’s elders and people of experience is established in the sunnah. Through making istikhaara, insha Allah one will gain the correct direction and save himself from falling into difficulty.

عن أنس بن مالك قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما خاب من استخار ولا ندم من استشار (المعجم الأوسط للطبراني، الرقم: 6627)

Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who makes istikhaara (seeks goodness from Allah Ta’ala) will not lose, and the one who makes mashwarah (consults with his elders and people of experience) will not regret.” 

عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما قال كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعلمنا الاستخارة في الأمور كما يعلمنا السورة من القرآن (صحيح البخاري رقم 1162)

Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would teach us to make istikhaarah in all our important affairs like how he would teach us a surah of the Qur’aan.