The Accountability of Wealth: A Guide to Earning and Spending Lawfully

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Understanding the Hadith on Lawful and Unlawful Earnings

Understanding the Hadith on Lawful and Unlawful Earnings

Question: It is said that if you earn wealth through forbidden means, it is a punishment, and if you earn it through lawful means, it will be accounted for. Does this mean we should avoid earning more wealth since we will be accountable for it regardless of how well we use it? How can we escape this?

Answer: This saying attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) is found in some books, describing the nature of the world: “Earning it lawfully will be accounted for, and earning it unlawfully will lead to the fire.” (Al-Zuhd by Ibn Abi Dunya: 17). Al-Sakhawi (رحمه الله) has mentioned that this narration is disconnected and thus weak (Al-Maqasid Al-Hasanah: 232).

Since this saying is weak, it should not be used as a reference. However, it is true that a person will be accountable for everything they earn, whether through lawful or unlawful means. This does not mean that we should avoid earning more lawful wealth. Lawful earnings are permissible for us, and those who have more wealth can do more good deeds. Let’s consider a hadith from Sahih Bukhari narrated by Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه):

“The poor came to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and said, ‘The wealthy have gone with the highest degrees and the lasting bliss. They pray as we pray, and they fast as we fast, but they have more money with which they perform Hajj, Umrah, Jihad, and give in charity.’ The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, ‘Shall I not tell you something that if you do, you will catch up with those who have surpassed you, and nobody will surpass you after that, and you will be better than the people among whom you live, except those who do the same? Say “Subhan Allah,” “Alhamdulillah,” and “Allahu Akbar” thirty-three times after every prayer.'” (Sahih Bukhari: 843).

From this hadith, we understand that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not criticize the wealthy. Instead, it shows that if Allah grants someone more wealth, they should use it to do more good deeds.

Therefore, there is no harm in earning more through lawful means. However, lawful earnings should be spent in good ways to make the financial accountability in the Hereafter easier.