Importance of earning a lawful income

Question

Is this narration on earning reliable ?

‘Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The seeking of a halal earning is the (next) Fardh (duty) after the Fardh (Salat).”

(Baihaqi).

Answer

The chain for this Hadith is classified as very weak.

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.10 pg.291 & 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 & Targhib, vol.2 pg.546)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar