URDU: صوفیائے کرام کے اقوال و اعمال میں حلال کمائی کا تصور: ایک تجزیاتی مطالعہ

The Concept of Lawful Earning in the Sayings and Practices of the Ṣūfīs: An Analytical Study

Abstract

Islam recognizes worldly life and gives great importance to the lawful earnings. Trade and business done with intention to seek the pleasure of Allah is not only a way to meet one’s financial needs, but it also fulfils the socio-religious responsibility. Through a lawful source of income, a Muslim can support himself and can also help and serve his Muslim brothers who are financially weak. Ṣūfīs consider earning livelihood necessary for ordinary people but for the traveller on spiritual path their opinions vary. One group among the Ṣūfīs believes that using worldly means to earn a living is against trust in Allah (tawakkul). Another group, however, believes that using these means, with certain conditions, is not only a good and rewarding act but also an important way to achieve Allah through khidmat-e khalq (service to humanity). This paper presents an analytical study of Ṣūfīs’ teachings and practices and shows that the means of earning chosen in the light of Prophet’s ﷺ deeds, sayings provide a good example for developing a self-reliant society. The practices of the Ṣūfīs  show that Sufism does not encourage begging. Rather, it encourages people to work and earn through lawful means. Earning a livelihood is not a hindrance to in the spiritual paths. Rather, it can help a seeker to achieve Allah’s divine love and bliss. When lawful earning is connected with the pleasure of Allah and the service of people, the work which apparently seems to be mundane becomes supermundane.