08 Nov 2021 By Know Muslim
Protection of livelihood in Islam
The protection of life, property and honour being man's basic right is indeed imperative. Then man also needs to earn livelihood to live in this world; he needs work and employment. On this question the Holy Prophet , صلى الله عليه و سلم has said: None can be permitted to close the door of 1 livelihood upon others by force of one's wealth.
On one hand he صلى الله عليه و سلم said that "Freedom of Contract" is allowed in Islam, in general. On the other hand he صلى الله عليه و سلم ordered that all such contract agreements upset and disturb the-common social order and close the door of livelihood upon others are prohibited. The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: meaning, "The inhabitant of a city should not sell the goods of a villager." Suppose a man brings goods, e.g. agricultural products, vegetables, fruits etc., for sale in the city, no city-dweller should become his broker or commission agent. Apparently there is no objection to concluding such agreements between two persons. The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم has disclosed the defect underlying such an agreement. The city-dweller will hoard the goods with him and in this way he will become a monopolist and impose his monopolistic policy on the market. This will close the door of livelihood upon others. Hence the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم order: (TO conciude) everyone has a right to earn his living with reasonable freedom. It is unlawful to amass wealth by means of interest-bearing transactions, gambling, speculative bids, etc., and thus gain monopolistic control over the entire market. This policy stops others from entering the market for earning their livelihood. The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم has declared protection of livelihood as a basic right for all human beings. He صلى الله عليه و سلم has said:Leave the people free, so that Allah may provide them livelihood through one another. This is the protection and guarantee of earning livelihood. It is the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم who has taught these Human Rights and he صلى الله عليه و سلم has shown how to discharge them by his own acts and practices.
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