Selling band instruments, and a practice for lawful sustenance

Question

My entire livelihood depends on selling band instruments, yet my home is always in ruin: my pocket is always empty, my stomach empty, my hand stretched out before others. I do not know any other work besides this; it is my occupation. What do you advise me, so that I may be rid of this ruin?

Answer

Playing band instruments is impermissible, listening to them is impermissible, selling them is impermissible. The effect of this ill omen is that even when the income is large, there is no good and no baraka in it. Repent before Allah with tears and ask for lawful sustenance, even if it be little; take up ordinary wage labour, even if it is beneath your standing.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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