Dirty Money

Imagine this... You wake up and go to work, you have an easy job and you’re out all day working. At the end of the day, you get paid, but instead of just money, you also get a filthy swine. It follows you home and it runs around your house with you. Then when its time to eat you put it on the table and let all your family eat from it. You do this day after day. Anything you buy, from foods to clothes comes with another filthy swine that follows you 24/7 and whenever you are hungry you eat it! Disgusting right? I feel sick writing about it but it needs to be addressed so that’s what I’m going to do.
You would never work in a job that caused this repulsive effect nor would you want a member of your family to work in this kind of job because it would still affect your life. I know its gross but it is no way extreme. It is just a metaphor to describe the earning of a haram (forbidden and unlawful) income. There are so many people out there and around us getting quick and easy money in this way. Sadly, it is very common with our own Muslim brothers in our own community. Some examples of haram income include any money derived from:

· selling drugs or alcohol
· selling stolen goods
· fraud and cheating
· gambling
· claiming benefits through lying

The first one is too widespread and comes hand in hand with a life of crime. They know it is wrong, yet they shrug it off and make up sorry excuses about how hard life is and how it’s the only way. Balls to your excuses! Be a man…this life is a test and wealth is a test. Some people are given a lot of money and that is a test to see how they will spend it; others are not given as much to see if they are patient or if they will become weak and resort to haram means of income. Many people can’t find a job so give up easily and are caught up in this lifestyle. How are you going to use these lame excuses in front of your Lord? He gives us so much so how are we so ungrateful and how can we complain. Make dua; work hard no matter what job it is just make sure your money is halal. Only then will you see blessing in your wealth. Look at the quality, not the quantity. A man who works hard all day to provide for his family will have his past sins forgiven. A pound made honestly is blessed and worthy on the scale. We will not be judged by our worldly possessions.

There is no blessing in haram money only an abundance of sin that makes your whole life haram. Even if you are earning part halal, the haram money you earn causes the whole batch to be poisoned. Any food you eat that has been brought with this is then haram for you. Imagine, the swine! We wouldn’t eat a hamburger and we check ingredients for gelatine and the ‘V’ sign militantly but so easily do these people buy food and provisions for themselves and even worse their families! No prayers accepted, no acts of worship accepted. Then they have the nerve to complain about their lives and become angry. Always analyse your behaviour, Allah may be sending you a message or a reminder.

Do you wonder why these people go back repeatedly to this lifestyle? It is because their lives are empty. Their purpose of life is forgotten and they are only interested in pleasing people and selfishly thinking about themselves and this life. Although many will tell you they love Allah, some even pray but they use Him as a way of making them feel settled and balanced about their way of life. Allah doesn’t need our worship, we need the obedience for our own benefit.

Know your only purpose as a Muslim; to worship Allah, Lord of the universe. If you turn to him completely and sincerely and ask for his support and protection, he WILL help you. Purify your goal; having money is only a search for materialistic things, for worldly benefits. Just think of our own beloved prophet (s). He married his own daughter to the poorest man in the city! Because of his imaan. Do these people think they are better than him! Allah says even if you are poor, still get married and he will provide for you. It is sinful not to have children because of fear of poverty. Allah says he will provide for us. Alhamdulillah! How can we complain? This world will end and then you will have nothing unless you have thought about your hereafter and sent good deeds ahead. We all know its coming, don’t shake it off and never forget. Your goal should be Paradise, not a Bentley! An eternity of peace and harmony. Just sit back and think about Jannah. Close your eyes and really try to picture it (Although it will still be so much more beautiful than your mind can comprehend). Subhanallah! Allah has made it easy. If you are suffering or going through hardship and you are patient, Allah will reward you and expiate your sins through your pain.

‘Verily after hardship comes ease’

Do not forget this and don’t let your brothers forget this because even one pound of haram will ruin you. If you are involved in this life or know someone who is, then remind them and explain this to them. Look at what you have and remember we are blessed compared to millions of our Muslims suffering in the third world. Allah knows what you conceal and what you reveal so don’t think you can fool Him and don’t think any excuse you may be making will be worthy on that day. Ask sincerely for repentance and guidance. Don’t despair because Allah forgives all sins. Don’t fear people because they will never care about you no matter how much you do for them. Fear Allah alone and you will be successful in both this life and the next Inshallah.

May Allah guide our youth so that they may understand and come away from this life and may he bless us with halal provisions.

Your Sister in Islam x