We have often heard the stories detailing the complex journeys of the Prophet / Messenger as they developed the religion revealed to them. We have known these accounts since childhood, and they continue to be recounted in various sermons and religious celebrations. Their struggle was truly immense—the challenges they faced were far from ordinary; they were formidable.
Yet,
little is said about how the Prophets sustained their economic lives. Like any
other human being, they required food, clothing, and shelter. These necessities
did not simply appear for them, as divine revelation did; rather, the Prophets
and Prophet had to work to obtain them—just as any other person would. A hadit
states: "God has never appointed a Prophet who did not, at some point,
herd sheep or goats."
Because
the Prophets—like anyone else—would grow hungry without food, thirsty without
drink, and cold without sufficient clothing, they had to dedicate time, exert
effort, and break a sweat. Their endeavors were not guaranteed immediate
success; there was effort, seriousness, and the inherent risk of failure.
Furthermore, beyond providing for themselves, the Prophets and Prophet also had
to support their families.
This
section highlights the fact that the Prophet, too, had to work. Fulfilling the
duties of conveying divine revelation, upholding God’s religion, and guiding
the community did not necessitate abandoning their economic lives. In fact,
this approach—engaging in economic activity while simultaneously propagating
and developing the faith—was a lifestyle adopted by many of the preachers who
brought Islam to the Indonesian archipelago. They were merchants, preachers,
and religious teachers all at once. This was also the path followed by the Wali
Songo (the Nine Saints) in Indonesia. Their economic pursuits were not
driven solely by profit, but were oriented toward dakwah (the
propagation of the faith). Engaging in ethical and profitable economic activity
was, in itself, a lesson they imparted to the people of their time. My friend,
is this not reason enough for you?
Yes,
The Messengers also Worked for Their Livelihood
Throughout
history, the Prophets worked just like ordinary human beings to sustain
themselves. Surah Al-Furqan, verse 20, states: "And We did not send
before you (Muhammad) any messengers except that they ate food and walked in
the marketplaces." A marketplace is a place where people of various
characters gather—ranging from the best to the worst. Thus, in conducting their
economic activities, the Messengers of Allah mingled and interacted with all
types of people, without discrimination.
They
were not reclusive spiritual figures living in an "ivory tower." The
Prophets engaged in real work and trade. Prophet Moses (Musa) worked for
Prophet Jethro (Shuaib); Prophet David (Dawud) was a craftsman who made armor;
Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) served as a warehouse overseer; Prophet Zechariah
(Zakariya) was a carpenter; and Prophet Enoch (Idris) was a tailor.
Prophet
Abraham (Ibrahim), who possessed the skill to craft statues—much like his
father—focused instead on producing earthenware for household use. Meanwhile,
Prophet Moses was a skilled builder who designed and oversaw several monumental
construction projects in Egypt. Due to his nomadic lifestyle, Moses often
shifted between professions to support himself. Similarly, Prophet Jesus
(Isa)—who was appointed as a Prophet at the age of 30 and passed away just
three years later—is often depicted in Christian iconography as a shepherd
tending to a flock. Some accounts also suggest that Jesus worked as a
carpenter, following in his father’s trade.
The
Prophets worked because they refused to exploit their status or rely on their
followers for their own sustenance. They engaged in various forms of labor,
utilizing their manual skills and other abilities. As it is said: "No one
has ever consumed food better than that which is earned through the work of
one's own hands. Indeed, the Prophet of Allah, David (Dawud), used to eat from
the earnings of his own hands." Prophet David AS earned his living from
the work of his own hands as a blacksmith. He makes armor and other things,
then sells them at the market to support himself and his family from the
proceeds.
One
day, Prophet Sulaiman AS asked Allah SWT to show him a servant who was more
grateful than himself. Allah then sent Gabriel to teach Solomon how to plate
jewelry with gold, and he made them on axes, then sold them. Thus, the first
person to make decorations with gold gilding was Prophet Sulaiman AS.
When
he was young, Rasulullah SAW was a very active worker. He sells services as a
goat herder for other people. The Prophet raised goats very productively. He
also sold Khadijah's merchandise to Syria, and received a share of the profits.
The Quraysh nation was famous for being skilled at trading. In winter they go
to Yemen, and in summer to Sham (Syria). They are not a lazy nation. Abdullah,
for example, the Prophet's father, fell ill and died on his business trip home
from Syria.
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