The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) foresaw that greed and materialism would drive people to pursue wealth by any means necessary, even if it involved actions prohibited by Islam, such as theft, fraud, bribery, or exploitation. We at present are witness to a societal and ethical decline in values where material gain is seen overriding moral considerations.
Let us a hadith that predicts a time when people would be indifferent to the ethical and lawful means of earning a living, and the distinction between lawful (halal) and unlawful (haram) ways of acquiring wealth would become irrelevant to many. In other words, people would focus solely on acquiring wealth, without regard to the moral, legal, or religious principles governing how they obtain it.
This Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 34: Sales and Trade / كتاب البيوع / Chapter 7: One who does not care from where he earns / باب مَنْ لَمْ يُبَالِ مِنْ حَيْثُ كَسَبَ الْمَالَ / as Hadith 2059, given herein under:
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A time will come when one will not care how one gains one's money, legally or illegally."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ الْمَقْبُرِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ، لاَ يُبَالِي الْمَرْءُ مَا أَخَذَ مِنْهُ أَمِنَ الْحَلاَلِ أَمْ مِنَ الْحَرَامِ ".
Let us examine the hadith in the light of Qur'an and our present times:
Explanation of the Hadith in Light of the Qur'an
- The Importance of Earning Through Halal Means:
- The Qur'an strongly emphasizes the importance of earning a livelihood through lawful means and avoiding unlawful sources of income: "O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed Him that you worship." (Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:172)
- This verse underscores the significance of consuming only what is lawful (halal) and good, reminding believers to be thankful to Allah for the sustenance He provides through lawful means.
- It is also mentioned: "O mankind, eat from whatever is on the earth [that is] lawful and good." (Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:168)
- In this verse, the Qur'an emphasizes that the source of one's sustenance should be lawful and pure. It shows how important it is to earn in a way that is ethically sound and pleasing to Allah.
- Consequences of Unlawful Earnings: The Qur'an also warns against acquiring wealth through unlawful means, as such actions carry consequences both in this life and the Hereafter.
- "And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]." (Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188) This verse forbids unjustly acquiring others' wealth or using bribery to unlawfully gain wealth. It highlights how unlawful financial dealings are not only morally wrong but also have societal consequences.
- "Indeed, those who consume the wealth of orphans unjustly are only consuming fire into their bellies, and they will be burned in a Blaze." (Qur'an, Surah An-Nisa 4:10) This verse speaks specifically about the unlawful acquisition of an orphan’s wealth but can be extended to all unlawful means of earning. It makes clear that unlawful earnings lead to severe punishment in the Hereafter.
- Greed and Materialism: The Qur'an also warns against greed and the excessive desire for wealth at the cost of one's morals or values.
- "But as for him who is stingy and considers himself self-sufficient, and denies the good [reward of the Hereafter], We will ease him toward difficulty." (Qur'an, Surah Al-Lail 92:8-10) This speaks to the attitude of selfishness and greed, where the pursuit of wealth leads people to lose sight of the greater good and moral obligations. Those who prioritize material gain over ethical considerations are warned of the consequences.
- "You love wealth with immense love." (Qur'an, Surah Al-Adiyat 100:8) This verse reminds us of the natural inclination to love wealth but also urges believers to avoid letting that love become an obsession or a reason to forsake moral principles.
Note: You may like to refer to our reference page: Prohibited means of earning in Islam wherein a number of posts highlight the prohibited / Haram means of earning about which Muslims should be very careful
Explanation in the Context of Present Times
In the present day, this hadith is especially relevant in a world where materialism and the pursuit of wealth often overshadow moral and ethical considerations. Here’s how it applies to modern times:
- Prevalence of Unethical Business Practices: In today’s world, there are numerous examples of people and corporations prioritizing profit over ethics. This includes:
- Corruption: Engaging in bribery, fraud, and embezzlement to secure contracts, permits, or favorable deals.
- Exploitation: Taking advantage of workers, especially in developing countries, by paying them below the minimum wage or providing poor working conditions.
- Corporate Greed: Multinational corporations sometimes exploit natural resources or evade taxes to maximize profits, even at the expense of local communities or the environment.
- The pursuit of wealth, regardless of the ethical cost, is common, and the hadith foretold this kind of behavior.
- Rise of the “Get Rich Quick” Mentality: In modern society, many people are obsessed with wealth and are willing to go to extreme lengths to acquire it quickly. This includes:
- Fraudulent Schemes: Examples like Ponzi schemes, fake investments, and misleading advertising are widespread, all designed to make quick profits at the expense of others.
- Cybercrime: The rise of digital financial crimes, such as hacking, identity theft, and online fraud, where individuals seek to unlawfully acquire wealth through illegal means. The hadith's warning about people not caring how they acquire money, legally or illegally, seems to perfectly align with the growing number of people who engage in such practices today.
- Shift in Values: The increasing secularization of modern society has led to a decline in adherence to religious and moral values. Many people today do not consider the ethical or legal implications of their actions as long as they can gain material wealth. This includes ignoring environmental sustainability, workers' rights, and the impact of business practices on society.
- Social Media Influence: With the rise of social media, there is increasing pressure to present a lifestyle of wealth and success. This often leads individuals to pursue wealth through shortcuts or unethical means, such as showing off fake lifestyles, engaging in deceptive business practices, or misleading others to make money.
In view of the explanation of the hadith given above, it can be safely concluded that this hadith predicted of a time we are part of today. This hadith predicted a time when people will not care about the legality or morality of how they acquire wealth is highly relevant today. In the Qur'an, we are reminded of the importance of earning through lawful, ethical means, and the consequences of neglecting these values. In our time, where greed, materialism, and unethical practices have become rampant, this hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims to remain mindful of how they earn their living and the consequences of engaging in unlawful financial activities.
It is crucial for Muslims to continue upholding the principles of halal (lawful) earnings, striving to avoid haram (unlawful) sources of income, and to remember that true success lies not just in wealth, but in righteousness and ethical living, both in this world and in the Hereafter.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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