Combining between Da’wah and earning money for his family

20-6-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I learned Islam for 10 years and I have degree in this field. My family is somehow poor , I have good work ,my mother wants me to leave work and work in preaching Islam, I don't refuse ,I want to do that , but I also want to help my family .what should I do?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Know that making Da’wah is a great form of worship since it was the mission of the Prophets.   Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh's (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} [41:33].  The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said to Ali (Radiya Allahu Anhu): Invite them to Islam, and inform them what is enjoined upon them, for, by Allah, if Allah gives guidance to somebody through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels. [Reported by Imams al-Bukhari and Muslim].

There are many verses in Qur'an and Ahadith of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) that encourage Muslims to do Da’wah.

However, if being a full-time worker in the Da’wah field may lead to neglecting obligatory rights, such as spending on one’s family, etc. one should combine between both jobs, i.e. doing Da’wah and earning money.  Many Prophets, scholars, and Duaat (those who make Da’wah) were professionals and businessmen even though they did not give up their mission.

Therefore, combining the two jobs is very possible and advisable for a Daiyah in order to avoid being dependent on others.

Allah knows best.