it is the purest livelihood, for it is earned by one’s own hand, fosters reliance upon Allah, and yields widespread benefit to people, livestock, and even birds.

Al-Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar said: “The finest earning is the wealth taken from the unbelievers through jihad, for that was the Prophet’s ﷺ source of income and it serves to exalt the word of Allah, the Most High.”

Shaykh ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Saʿdī observed: “The scholars differ over which worldly occupation is preferable: some give precedence to farming, others to commerce, and others to manual crafts and trades.”

The soundest view is that the best occupation for each person is the one that suits his circumstances, provided that in every field of work he is honest, avoids fraud, and discharges all obligations from every angle.

Ibn Mufliḥ summarises in al-Ādāb al-Sharʿīyah:
• It is recommended to earn a livelihood even when one already has enough. Lawfully increasing one’s wealth and social standing, enjoying comfort and luxury, and expanding provision for one’s family are all permissible, so long as one’s religion, honour, dignity, and liability remain intact.
• Earning becomes obligatory for anyone who lacks sustenance and for those whose maintenance is his responsibility; he must give priority to earning for his dependants, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “It is enough sin for a man to neglect those whose sustenance he controls.” (Muslim 996)

The Qāḍī said: “Income that is not sought for mere accumulation but rather as a means to obey Allah—such as supporting one’s brothers or sparing oneself the humiliation of asking people—is superior, because it benefits others as well as oneself. It is better than devoting oneself solely to supererogatory acts of worship, for the best of people are those who are most beneficial to people.”

Benefit:
Al-Khaṭṭābī said: “Concerning anything about which you are doubtful, piety requires that you leave it,” citing the hadith, “Leave that which makes you doubt…”