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Forbidden livelihoods in Islam

العمل المحظور في الإسلام

Al-Maraghi says Islam forbids only work that attacks the mind, the person, property or honour (p. 17). He lists killing for hire, making and trading wine and drugs, all forms of gambling including tormenting animals, theft, sorcery and fortune-telling, and false testimony (pp. 17-19). On begging he allows it only in total need, citing Ahmad ibn Hanbal (p. 21). This is the author's classification.

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Era
The Modern Era
Region
Global / Diaspora
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Trade and finance

Overview

Al-Maraghi holds that Islam forbids only work that aggresses against reason, life, wealth or honor 1. Among the prohibited: wrongful killing or hiring oneself to it; making and trading wine, and narcotics likewise; gambling in every form including what tortures animals; theft; sorcery, soothsaying, fortune-telling and palm- and cup-reading; and false witness 1 2 3. On begging he dislikes asking people for profit and permits it only in necessity.

Opinions on the question

First opinion · Sunni tradition (the museum's frame)Main reference

Basis: Principles of Islamic Economics — Rafiq Yunus al-Misri

More opinions (1)

Sunni tradition (the museum's frame)Main reference

Basis: Principles of Islamic Economics — Rafiq Yunus al-Misri

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Part of
Work in Islam

People and things also explored

Trade in Islam· Agriculture in Islam· Crafts in Islam· Women's work in Islam· Work in Islam· Al-Madina Souq, Aleppo· Bazaar of Tabriz· Khan el-Khalili

Sources

  1. Issues of Work and Wealth in Islam — Abu al-Wafa al-Maraghi , p. 17
  2. Issues of Work and Wealth in Islam — Abu al-Wafa al-Maraghi , p. 18
  3. Issues of Work and Wealth in Islam — Abu al-Wafa al-Maraghi , p. 19
  • Principles of Islamic Economics — Rafiq Yunus al-Misri
Cite this page

islam.museum contributors. “Forbidden livelihoods in Islam”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/concept/forbidden-livelihoods-in-islam/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-23.

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Trade in Islam

Al-Maraghi treats trade as among the widest fields of human activity, tied to farming and craft (p. 30). After Ibn Khaldun he notes its dangers of haggling, cheating and false oaths, which Islam met with exhortation and warning (p. 30). Honest measure, disclosure of defects, and generosity in buying and selling are required (pp. 31, 33). He cites the hadith 'I am the third of two partners as long as neither betrays the other' and the forms of partnership, including mudaraba (p. 32). A saying about nine-tenths of livelihood being in trade is recorded but, by the book's own footnote, is mursal (p. 30).