Seeking Halaal (lawful) Provision

One of the challenges of seeking Allah’s provision is being careful to choose that which is halaal. This does present a challenge especially is non-Muslim societies where legal work may be limited, but with conviction and creativity, options are available for the one who seeks to please Allah.

This hadeeth also reminds the Muslim to seek lawful provision. One of the results of greed and materialism is that people do not care if what they obtain from wealth was legally earned or not. Drug gangs distribute the spoils of their illegal and destructive trade among underprivileged communities and no one questions the source or legitimacy of these handouts.

Related to seeking legal provision is the fact that sometimes, profits of trade are slow or difficult in coming. Many people turn to illegal sources of earning because it is “easy” and “quick”. No doubt the straight path comes with some difficulties, but the believer must have trust and faith in Allah. Through his obedience to Allah, a believer will obtain that which is decreed for him.

And yet in another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said,

Likewise, Allah reminds us not to resort to forbidden things such as killing or aborting children because of fear or frustration.

Allah promises to reward and increase the believer for his obedience, yet because of the weakness of faith and dependence on Allah, many prefer to lose the reward with Allah out of fear for their provision, whereas the true believer knows that his provision is with Allah. Allah said: