both lawful and unlawful.

Among the lawful worldly means of earning and obtaining provision are buying and selling, commerce, farming, and leasing. Unlawful worldly means include lending on interest, bayʿ al-ʿīnah, hoarding, fraud, theft, gambling, and the sale of wine or idols. The evidence for this is the Almighty’s words: “Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.”1

Thus, while both trade and usury are worldly means of seeking livelihood, Allah has permitted the former and prohibited the latter.