Working and earning livelihood: | Prophet stories

The Qur’an tells the story of the Prophet Moses (Muse) (peace be on him) who worked for eight years as a hired man to gain the hand of an old man’s daughter in marriage. 

Moses was an excellent worker and employee; the old man’s daughter had displayed real insight into his character. She said, 

O my father, employ him; truly, the best for thee to employ is the strong and trustworthy one. 

(28:26)

Ibn ‘Abbas said, “David was a maker of coats of mail and shields, Adam was a farmer, Noah a carpenter, Idris a tailor, and Moses a shepherd.”

(Reported by al-Hakim.) 

Since every prophet of Allah had some occupation, the Muslim should derive satisfaction in his occupation or profession. 

A hadith states: 

No one earns his food better than the onewho worked with his hands, and the prophet of Allah, David earned his food by working with his hands. 

(Reported by al-Bukhari and others.)

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