Islam_in_Focus_text

A Muslim is enjoined by God to be self-supporting and
to stay away from being a liability on anybody. Islam re-
spects all kinds of work for earning one's livelihood so long
as there is no indecency or wrong involved. With a clear
conscience and due respect from society the Muslim can roli
up his sleeves and undertake any kind of work available to
provide for himself and his dependents. Prophet Muhammad
i s reported as having said that:
"It is far better for one even to take his
rope, cul wood, pile it up and sell it in or-
der to eat and give charity than to beg oth-
ers whether they give him or not".
According to Islam, the status of honest working men
cannot be lowered on account of the kind of work they are
doing for a living. Yet, the laboring workers have no limited
scope for improving their lots and raising their standards as
high as possible. They have equal opportunities at their dis-
posal and enjoy freedom of enterprise.
Whatever the individual makes or earns through lawful
means is his private possession, which neither the state nor
anybody else can justifiably claim. In return for this right of
private possession he has only to fulfill certain obligations to
the society and pay certain taxes to the state. When this is
done, he has full rights to protection by the State, and his
freedom of enterprise is secure and guaranteed. Under the Is-
lamic system the menace of greedy Capitalism and destruc-
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