Question

Please provide a reference for this Hadith:

“A man who leaves his house in the morning and works to provide for his family is in the path of Allah”

Answer

Sayyiduna Ka’b ibn ‘Ujrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that a person passed by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) noticing his strength and vigour commented: O Messenger of Allah, If only this person was [utilising his ability] in the path of Allah!

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“If he has left his home to earn for his young children, then he is in the path of Allah.

If he has left his home to earn for his elderly parents then he is in the path of Allah.

If he has left his home to earn sufficiently for himself, then he is in the path of Allah.

If he has left his home to earn for purpose of showing and boasting, then he is in the path of Shaytan!”

(Al-Mu’jamul Kabir, vol. 12, Hadith: 282)

‘Allamah Mundhiri and ‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahumallah) have declared the narrators as reliable (rijalus sahih)

(Targhib, vol. 2, pg. 524 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 4, pg. 325)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar