Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "No doubt, you had better gather a bundle of wood and carry it on your back (and earn your living thereby) rather than ask somebody who may give you or not."
Distribution of Water - Sahih al-Bukhari 2374
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "No doubt, you had better gather a bundle of wood and carry it on your back (and earn your living thereby) rather than ask somebody who may give you or not."
Commentary on Self-Reliance
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari establishes the Islamic principle of self-reliance and dignity in earning one's livelihood. The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasizes that even the most humble labor - gathering firewood - is superior to begging from others.
Scholars explain that begging is permissible only in three cases: extreme poverty that threatens survival, overwhelming debt, or blood money that cannot be paid otherwise. Beyond these necessities, seeking lawful employment - no matter how modest - preserves one's honor and prevents the humiliation of rejection.
Spiritual Dimensions
The imagery of carrying wood on one's back symbolizes the weight of honest labor, which is lighter in Allah's sight than the spiritual burden of unnecessary dependency. This teaching cultivates tawakkul (trust in Allah) combined with practical effort.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that this hadith encourages Muslims to maintain their dignity while fulfilling their needs through permissible means, thus combining worldly sustenance with spiritual elevation.
Contemporary Application
In modern contexts, this principle extends to all forms of dignified work and entrepreneurship. It teaches that no lawful occupation is beneath a Muslim's dignity, while cautioning against creating habits of dependency that weaken character and faith.