Importance of earning a lawful income

Question

Is this narration on earning reliable?

‘Abdullah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates that Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

“The seeking of a halal earning is the (next) Fard (duty) after the Fard (Salah).”

(Bayhaqi).

Answer

The chain for this Hadith is classified as very weak.

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 291 and Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 5271)

One should rather quote the following sound (hasan) narration which has a similar meaning:

Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) said:

‘Earning halal livelihood is binding (wajib) on every Muslim.’

(Al-Mu’jamul Awsat of Tabarani, declared sound -hasan- by ‘Allamah Haythami and ‘Allamah Mundhri -rahimahumallah- see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 291 and Targhib, vol. 2 pg. 546)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar