What is the wisdom behind looking for livelihood?

وَلَقَدۡ كَرَّمۡنَا بَنِیۤ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ فِی ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ وَرَزَقۡنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّیِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلۡنَـٰهُمۡ عَلَىٰ كَثِیرࣲ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَا تَفۡضِیلࣰا

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference. (17:70)

This verse means that Allah has honored the human beings by creating them in the best form and giving them dominion over the earth and its resources. He has also provided them with various kinds of sustenance and blessings, and favored them over many other creatures.

What is the wisdom behind looking for livelihood? Is it not better to rely on Allah and trust in His provision? Allah says in Surah At-Talaq, verse 3:

 وَیَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ لَا یَحۡتَسِبُۚ وَمَن یَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُۥۤۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمۡرِهِۦۚ قَدۡ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَیۡءࣲ قَدۡرࣰا

“And He will provide him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.

He says in the Quran: 

أَهُمۡ یَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَیۡنَهُم مَّعِیشَتَهُمۡ فِی ٱلۡحَیَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡیَاۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَهُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضࣲ دَرَجَـٰتࣲ لِّیَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُهُم بَعۡضࣰا سُخۡرِیࣰّاۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَیۡرࣱ مِّمَّا یَجۡمَعُونَ

Are they the distributors of your Lord’s mercy? We have distributed among them their comforts in the life of this world, and gave high status to some over others so that they mock at each other; and the mercy of your Lord is better than all what they hoard.

How can Allah apportion among people their livelihood when there are so many factors that influence it, such as education, skills, experience, location, competition, supply and demand, etc.? Has Allah predetermined our incomes and professions regardless of our efforts and choices? 

Allah has given us free will and He has made us accountable for our actions. He has also commanded us to work hard and seek lawful means of earning. He says in the Quran:

إِنَّمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡثَـٰنࣰا وَتَخۡلُقُونَ إِفۡكًاۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا یَمۡلِكُونَ لَكُمۡ رِزۡقࣰا فَٱبۡتَغُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرِّزۡقَ وَٱعۡبُدُوهُ وَٱشۡكُرُوا۟ لَهُۥۤۖ إِلَیۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ

“You worship only idols instead of Allah, and only forge a clear lie; indeed those whom you worship instead of Allah do not control your sustenance – therefore seek your sustenance from Allah, and worship Him, and be grateful to Him; it is towards Him that you will be returned.”

Relying on Allah is indeed a noble and virtuous act, but it does not mean that we should be idle and passive. Allah also commands us to work and strive for our livelihood, as long as we do not neglect our obligations to Him and His creation. Allah says in Surah Al-Jumu’ah, verse 10: 

فَإِذَا قُضِیَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱبۡتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱذۡكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِیرࣰا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ

And when the prayer ends, spread out in the land and seek Allah’s munificence, and profusely remember Allah, in the hope of attaining success.

However, He has also informed us that our efforts and choices are not the ultimate causes of our success or failure. Rather, He is the one who controls the outcomes and grants His favor to whom He wills. He says in the Quran: 

وَٱللَّهُ خَیۡرُ ٱلرَّ ٰ⁠زِقِینَ

"And Allah is the best of providers." chapter 62, verse 11

But how can I trust that Allah will provide for me when I see so many people suffering from poverty, hunger, unemployment, and injustice? How can I be content with what Allah has given me when I see others enjoying more wealth, power, and prestige than me? How can I be grateful to Allah when I face difficulties, losses, and hardships in my pursuit of livelihood?

The answer lies in understanding the purpose of this life and the reality of the Hereafter. This life is a test and a trial for us. Allah has created us to worship Him and obey Him. He has also given us different levels of wealth, health, intelligence, beauty, etc. to see how we use them in His way or against His way. He says in the Quran: 

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِی جَعَلَكُمۡ خَلَـٰۤىِٕفَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعۡضَكُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضࣲ دَرَجَـٰتࣲ لِّیَبۡلُوَكُمۡ فِی مَاۤ ءَاتَىٰكُمۡۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِیعُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورࣱ رَّحِیمُۢ

And it is He who made you caliphs (viceroys) in the earth and ranked some of you high above others, in order that He may test you with what He has bestowed upon you; indeed it does not take time for your Lord to mete out punishment; and indeed, surely, He is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Therefore, we should not be deceived by the apparent differences in people’s worldly conditions. Rather, we should focus on our relationship with Allah and our performance of good deeds. We should also remember that this life is temporary and that the real life is the Hereafter, where Allah will reward or punish us according to our deeds. He says in the Quran: 

مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحࣰا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنࣱ فَلَنُحۡیِیَنَّهُۥ حَیَوٰةࣰ طَیِّبَةࣰۖ وَلَنَجۡزِیَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ یَعۡمَلُونَ

Whoever does good deeds – whether a male or female – and is a Muslim, We shall sustain him an excellent life, and shall certainly pay them a recompense which befits the best of their deeds.

Thus, we should trust that Allah will provide for us what is best for us in both worlds, if we sincerely seek His pleasure and follow His guidance.

But how do we balance between working for our livelihood and worshipping Allah? Is it not better to devote ourselves entirely to His worship and leave the worldly matters to Him? Allah says in Surah Al-An’am, verse 162: 

قُلۡ إِنَّ صَلَاتِی وَنُسُكِی وَمَحۡیَایَ وَمَمَاتِی لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ

Say, “Undoubtedly my prayers and my sacrifices, and my living and my dying are all for Allah, the Lord Of The Creation.”

Worshiping Allah is not limited to rituals and prayers. It also includes doing good deeds, being honest, being generous, being just, being kind, and being productive. All of these are forms of worship that please Allah and benefit us in this world and the hereafter. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 201: 

وَمِنۡهُم مَّن یَقُولُ رَبَّنَاۤ ءَاتِنَا فِی ٱلدُّنۡیَا حَسَنَةࣰ وَفِی ٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةࣰ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ

And among them are some that say, “Our Lord! Give us good in the world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of fire!”

Quran 25:62-77 is a long passage that covers many aspects of faith and morality. This passage is related to “looking for livelihood” because it describes the qualities and characteristics of the servants of the Most Merciful, who are the best examples for the believers to follow.

25:62

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ خِلْفَةًۭ لِّمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَذَّكَّرَ أَوْ أَرَادَ شُكُورًۭا ٦٢

And He is the One Who causes the day and the night to alternate, ˹as a sign˺ for whoever desires to be mindful or to be grateful.

25:63

وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًۭا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًۭا ٦٣

The ˹true˺ servants of the Most Compassionate are those who walk on the earth humbly, and when the foolish address them ˹improperly˺, they only respond with peace.

25:64

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًۭا وَقِيَـٰمًۭا ٦٤

˹They are˺ those who spend ˹a good portion of˺ the night, prostrating themselves and standing before their Lord.

25:65

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا ٦٥

˹They are˺ those who pray, “Our Lord! Keep the punishment of Hell away from us, for its punishment is indeed unrelenting.

25:66

إِنَّهَا سَآءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّۭا وَمُقَامًۭا ٦٦

It is certainly an evil place to settle and reside.”

25:67

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا۟ وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا۟ وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًۭا ٦٧

˹They are˺ those who spend neither wastefully nor stingily, but moderately in between.

25:68

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًۭا ٦٨

˹They are˺ those who do not invoke any other god besides Allah, nor take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺ right, nor commit fornication. And whoever does ˹any of˺ this will face the penalty.

25:69

يُضَـٰعَفْ لَهُ ٱلْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِۦ مُهَانًا ٦٩

Their punishment will be multiplied on the Day of Judgment, and they will remain in it forever, in disgrace.

25:70

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَـٰتٍۢ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا ٧٠

As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

25:71

وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا فَإِنَّهُۥ يَتُوبُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَتَابًۭا ٧١

And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah properly.

25:72

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا۟ بِٱللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا۟ كِرَامًۭا ٧٢

˹They are˺ those who do not bear false witness, and when they come across falsehood, they pass ˹it˺ by with dignity.

25:73

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّۭا وَعُمْيَانًۭا ٧٣

˹They are˺ those who, when reminded of the revelation of their Lord, do not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to it.

25:74

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍۢ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ٧٤

˹They are˺ those who pray, “Our Lord! Bless us with ˹pious˺ spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts, and make us models for the righteous.”

25:75

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ ٱلْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةًۭ وَسَلَـٰمًا ٧٥

It is they who will be rewarded with ˹elevated˺ mansions ˹in Paradise˺ for their perseverance, and will be received with salutations and ˹greetings of˺ peace,

25:76

خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّۭا وَمُقَامًۭا ٧٦

staying there forever. What an excellent place to settle and reside!

25:77

قُلْ مَا يَعْبَؤُا۟ بِكُمْ رَبِّى لَوْلَا دُعَآؤُكُمْ ۖ فَقَدْ كَذَّبْتُمْ فَسَوْفَ يَكُونُ لِزَامًۢا ٧٧

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “You ˹all˺ would not ˹even˺ matter to my Lord were it not for your faith ˹in Him˺. But now you ˹disbelievers˺ have denied ˹the truth˺, so the torment is bound to come.”

 It also mentions some of the rewards and punishments that await them in the Hereafter. Among the qualities of the servants of the Most Merciful are:

They are grateful and mindful of Allah’s favors

They are humble and peaceful

They worship Allah sincerely and devoutly

They repent from their sins and do righteous deeds

They are moderate and balanced in their spending

They avoid major sins and evil deeds

They respect and honor the signs of Allah

They seek comfort and happiness in their spouses and children

They aspire to be leaders and role models for the righteous

These qualities are essential for anyone who wants to pursue a lawful and honorable livelihood, as they will help them to avoid corruption, injustice, greed, envy, and other vices that may harm their worldly and spiritual success. 

These qualities are indeed admirable and beneficial. But what about Quran 62:9-11? 

یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوۤا۟ إِذَا نُودِیَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن یَوۡمِ ٱلۡجُمُعَةِ فَٱسۡعَوۡا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلۡبَیۡعَۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكُمۡ خَیۡرࣱ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

O People who Believe! When the call for prayer is given on (Friday) the day of congregation, rush towards the remembrance of Allah and stop buying and selling; this is better for you if you understand.

فَإِذَا قُضِیَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱبۡتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱذۡكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِیرࣰا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ

And when the prayer ends, spread out in the land and seek Allah’s munificence, and profusely remember Allah, in the hope of attaining success.

وَإِذَا رَأَوۡا۟ تِجَـٰرَةً أَوۡ لَهۡوًا ٱنفَضُّوۤا۟ إِلَیۡهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَاۤىِٕمࣰاۚ قُلۡ مَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَیۡرࣱ مِّنَ ٱللَّهۡوِ وَمِنَ ٱلتِّجَـٰرَةِۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَیۡرُ ٱلرَّ ٰ⁠زِقِینَ

And when they see some trade or sport, they move towards it and leave you standing delivering the sermon; proclaim, “That which is with Allah, is better than sport and trade; and the sustenance of Allah is the best.”

Quran 62:9-11 is referring to the specific case of the Friday prayer, which is a special and obligatory prayer that requires the full attention and participation of the believers. It is not permissible for them to abandon or delay this prayer for the sake of any worldly gain or amusement, as this would show disrespect and negligence towards Allah and His commandments. Quran 62:10, on the other hand, is referring to the general case of seeking livelihood after performing any prayer, which is a permissible and recommended act, as long as it does not interfere with one’s religious obligations or moral values. Therefore, these two passages are complementary and consistent, as they teach the believers how to balance their spiritual and material needs in a proper and lawful manner.

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَیۡنَیۡكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعۡنَا بِهِۦۤ أَزۡوَ ٰ⁠جࣰا مِّنۡهُمۡ زَهۡرَةَ ٱلۡحَیَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡیَا لِنَفۡتِنَهُمۡ فِیهِۚ وَرِزۡقُ رَبِّكَ خَیۡرࣱ وَأَبۡقَىٰ

And O listener, do not extend your eyes towards what We have given to disbelieving couples to enjoy – the bloom of the worldly life – so that We may test them with it; and the sustenance of your Lord is the best, and more lasting. 20.131

This verse is relevant because it teaches us not to be envious or greedy of what others have, and not to seek wealth or status for the sake of worldly pleasures. Rather, we should be content with what Allah has given us and seek His provision in lawful ways. This is also supported by other verses and hadiths, such as:

وَءَاتُوهُم مِّن مَّالِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِیۤ ءَاتَىٰكُمۡۚ وَلَا تُكۡرِهُوا۟ فَتَیَـٰتِكُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡبِغَاۤءِ إِنۡ أَرَدۡنَ تَحَصُّنࣰا لِّتَبۡتَغُوا۟ عَرَضَ ٱلۡحَیَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡیَاۚ وَمَن یُكۡرِههُّنَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ إِكۡرَ ٰ⁠هِهِنَّ غَفُورࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ

And give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allah is [to them], after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful. 24:33

However, there are other verses that give more specific guidance and rules on this topic. For example:

یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأۡكُلُوۤا۟ أَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لَكُم بَیۡنَكُم بِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ إِلَّاۤ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً عَن تَرَاضࣲ مِّنكُمۡۚ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوۤا۟ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمۡ رَحِیمࣰا

O People who Believe! Do not unjustly devour the property of each other, except through trade by mutual agreement; and do not kill one another; indeed Allah is Most Merciful upon you.

 And,

وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ یَدَكَ مَغۡلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبۡسُطۡهَا كُلَّ ٱلۡبَسۡطِ فَتَقۡعُدَ مَلُومࣰا مَّحۡسُورًا

And do not keep your hand tied to your neck nor open it completely, lest you remain seated – reproached, weary.

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ یَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن یَشَاۤءُ وَیَقۡدِرُۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِیرَۢا بَصِیرࣰا

Indeed your Lord eases the livelihood and restricts it, for whomever He wills; He Well Knows, Beholds His bondmen.

These verses are more relevant and clear. They show that looking for livelihood should be done in a lawful way, without cheating, oppressing, or harming others. They also show that looking for livelihood should not distract one from the obligatory prayers, especially the Friday prayer. They also show that looking for livelihood should be done with moderation, without being stingy or extravagant. They also show that looking for livelihood is ultimately dependent on Allah’s will and wisdom, and that He knows best what is good for His servants.

So looking for livelihood is a way of worshiping Allah and seeking His bounty. But what if we face difficulties and hardships in our pursuit of livelihood? What if we lose our jobs or face poverty or injustice? How should we deal with these situations?

We should deal with them with patience and perseverance, trusting in Allah’s wisdom and mercy. We should also seek His help and guidance through prayer and supplication. We should also remember that this life is a test and a trial for us, and that our ultimate success is in the hereafter. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 155-157: 

وَلَنَبۡلُوَنَّكُم بِشَیۡءࣲ مِّنَ ٱلۡخَوۡفِ وَٱلۡجُوعِ وَنَقۡصࣲ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لِ وَٱلۡأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَ ٰ⁠تِۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِینَ

And We will surely test you with some fear and hunger, and with paucity of wealth and lives and crops; and give glad tidings to those who patiently endure. –

ٱلَّذِینَ إِذَاۤ أَصَـٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِیبَةࣱ قَالُوۤا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّاۤ إِلَیۡهِ رَ ٰ⁠جِعُونَ

Those who say when calamity befalls them, “Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed it is to Him we are to return.”

أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ عَلَیۡهِمۡ صَلَوَ ٰ⁠تࣱ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَرَحۡمَةࣱۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدُونَ

These are the people upon whom are the blessings from their Lord, and mercy; and it is they who are on guidance.

The Quran says that humans should be content with what Allah has given them and trust in His wisdom and justice. It also warns them against being greedy, envious, or ungrateful.

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَیۡنَیۡكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعۡنَا بِهِۦۤ أَزۡوَ ٰ⁠جࣰا مِّنۡهُمۡ زَهۡرَةَ ٱلۡحَیَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡیَا لِنَفۡتِنَهُمۡ فِیهِۚ وَرِزۡقُ رَبِّكَ خَیۡرࣱ وَأَبۡقَىٰ

And O listener, do not extend your eyes towards what We have given to disbelieving couples to enjoy – the bloom of the worldly life – so that We may test them with it; and the sustenance of your Lord is the best, and more lasting.

And,

وَإِذۡ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمۡ لَىِٕن شَكَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِیدَنَّكُمۡۖ وَلَىِٕن كَفَرۡتُمۡ إِنَّ عَذَابِی لَشَدِیدࣱ

And remember when your Lord proclaimed, “If you give thanks, I will give you more, and if you are ungrateful then (know that) My punishment is severe.”