02. Sufficiency The Purpose Of Earning

Yes, the Prophets worked.
But classical scholars were unanimous: their work cannot be used to justify the exploitative systems we call “work” today.

Imam al-Ghazālī states:
“The purpose of earning is sufficiency, not servitude to the world.”
(Iḥyā’)

Ibn Taymiyyah warns:
“Any labour that weakens worship or removes dignity is not the work praised in the Sunnah.”

Ibn al-Qayyim writes:
“Work is virtuous only when it serves the journey to Allah, not when it becomes the journey.”
(Madārij al-Sālikīn)

And the jurists of Kitāb al-Kasb (Imam Muhammad al-Shaybani’s school) emphasised:
“Halal work requires dignity, balance, and freedom from exploitation.”

So yes, Adam farmed, Nūḥ built, Dāwūd crafted armour, our Prophet ﷺ traded.
But none of them worked under systems of burnout, corporate pressure, debt-dependence, or environments that crush family and faith.

Their work served their souls.
Today’s systems often consume them.

— Companions of Muhammad saw - Earning and Spending