He warned that poverty provides a means of exploitation for the advocates of destructive and extremist ideologies to promote evil in the world.

“Work is a form of worship in Islam, and believers can choose any work that suits their aptitude and skills,” the sheikh said.

Islam demanded every able-bodied man to work, the khatib said. Every legitimate means of earning one’s livelihood is not only dignified but it will earn Allah’s reward, he added.

“Labor is the weapon to fight the problem of poverty,” he said.

The sheikh condemned the social custom of viewing some jobs as undignified. “There are some people, particularly among the Arabs, who view hand labor and certain trades as undignified. That attitude is unreasonable and has nothing to do with our religion. Islam upholds the dignity of labor, whatever the work may be as long it is lawful,” he said. He also warned that Islam is against sitting idle and relying on others for one’s food.

He also urged people to go out anywhere in the world to find work if they do not find any job in their native places.

“People from different parts of the world come to this blessed land for work and participate in the country’s developmental activities. We are also happy to see our own citizens work and compete with the expatriate workers honorably,” he said.

He also condemned some people’s tendencies to receive charity from others.

Islam does not give a lazy man the right to receive charity, he said.

Imam and Khatib at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al-Qassim said justice was the basis of Islam. “Injustice is the source all evils including corruption,” the sheikh said.

“Allah prohibited all types of injustice when He said, ‘O my servants, don’t be unjust because I have prohibited injustice to you just as I have prohibited it for myself,” the sheikh said.