A reward for taking care of his own maintenance

6-9-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

Does one get a reward for doing his work e.g. washing his own clothes, mending his own shoes?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

If a Muslim intends by washing his clothes or repairing his shoes to imitate the Prophet we hope that he will be rewarded for his act, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): {Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day, and remembers Allaah much.} [Quran 33:21].

Al-Bukhari reported in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad that 'Amrah said: ''Aa'ishah was asked: ''What did the Prophet used to do in his house?'' She replied: ''He was a human like other human beings, he used to sew his clothes, and to milk his sheep'', in another narration she said: ''and he used to serve himself.''

Al-Bukhari reported the same Hadeeth in his Saheeh with the following wording: ''He used to serve his family, and when the time for the prayer is due, he goes out for the prayer.''

Therefore, if a person wants to alleviate and assist in the housework, he will be rewarded, as the Prophet said: ''The best amongst yourselves, are the best to their wives, and I am the best to my wife''. [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

To conclude, we say that a permissible deed becomes an act of worship, according to the intention of the doer.

Allaah knows best.