The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Every one of you should take hold of your rope, go to the mountain, collect and carry a load of fire-wood on your back, and sell it for your living. This will be better for you than begging from people, whether they give or refuse." (Bukhari).

Note: It is better for an able bodied person to take up some task no matter how hard to earn his bread rather than to beg for his bread.

(107) On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "It is better for anyone to earn his living by carrying a load of fire-wood on his back than begging someone to give him something, for that person may refuse to give him anything."

(Bukhari and Muslim)

(108) On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "All Prophets appointed by Allah have had the profession of grazing goats'. He was asked: 'And Sir, even you?' He answered: 'Yes, I too grazed them on wages of some Qeerats for the people of Makkah."

(Bukhari)

Note: Qeerats means a very small amount of money.

Note 1: All prophets are commanded to herd sheep at some time in their lives because it teaches them patience, kindness, and toleration. By taking care of animals, the prophets learn to look out for the needs of others.

Note 2: This Hadith also means that everyone has to earn a living, even prophets. It is important to work, even if the work is trivial and unglamorous.

(109) On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 'Prophet David (may peace be upon him) earned his living and ate only from his labour earnings, and nothing else."

(Bukhari)

(110) On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Prophet Zakariah was a carpenter by profession. (I.e. he earned his living through carpentry)."