Finding the easy way out

There is no harm if you are looking for an easy way out to earn money, as long as it is Halal.
The fact of the matter is that, if a person is looking for Halal opportunities to earn money, he
has with himself, very few opportunities left. Therefore, if you have the chance of earning
money which is:

1. Halal/Legal
2. Easy
3. Requires less physical and mental effort

then you should grab it with both hands. The fact of the matter is that very few of us have
such means. Some may have the resources with them lying but they may be hesitant to
apply and utilize them to achieve financial independence. An example of such a resource
could be ancestral property which could be utilized to generate income.

In fact, one can argue that being a Muslim, one should always be on a lookout for such a
means. Being a Muslim, one should not spend a lifetime running after the buck when one
could better utilize it towards other ends- gaining knowledge, building relationships, social
work and living a life prescribed by the Creator of life itself.

Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D. President of Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc writes:

The rise of Muslims to the zenith of civilization in a period of four decades was based
on lslam's emphasis on learning. This is obvious when one takes a look at the Qur'an
and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad which are filled with references to
learning, education, observation, and the use of reason.

The very first verse of the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet of Islam on the night of
27th of Ramadan in 611 AD reads:

Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: And thy Lord is
the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.
(Quran, 96:1-5)

And they shall say had we but listened or used reason, we would not be among the
inmates of the burning fire.(Quran, 67:10)

Are those who have knowledge and those who have no knowledge alike? Only the
men of understanding are mindful. (Quran, 39:9)

These are few amongst many examples from the Islamic tradition which show the great
value Islam attaches to gaining knowledge and contemplating the reality of this world and
also the Hereafter.
Thus, it would not be ridiculous to say that if all knowledge that could be humanely known
was an ocean, an entire lifetime dedicated to gaining knowledge would merely be like taking
a drop from it.

Similar cases can be made for different aspects of core Islamic realms of life- be it building
relationships, working for the betterment of society or simply, living a life prescribed by the
Creator of life itself to the best of ones ability.

My argument, therefore, is that it would be of immense help to a Muslim if, right from the
starting of his career, he aims for financial independence. I make this claim because if one
gets into a lifetime of earning, spending, consuming, wanting, earning- it becomes a vicious
cycle, especially given the current financial system of the world. It becomes almost
impossible to not compromise some part or the other of the Deen when one is caught up in
this cycle.

It is up to us to understand that the Creator has blessed us with consciousness, rationality, a

thinking and contemplating mind, and with life itself. How we spend this life, a priceless gift
from God, is our choice and at the end of the day, we are responsible for our own actions.