Working and Workers in Islam

The International Labour Day is an excuse to remember the people who put their entire energy at the service of production, progress, welfare and development. In this program we will have a glance at labour and worker from the viewpoint of Islam.

Islam as a constructive and salvaging religion attaches a special dignity for everybody including workers. Upon returning from the battle of Tabouk, one of the companions of the prophet of Islam called Sa'd Ansari welcomed him and took the prophet's hands at his hand. The holy prophet realized the coarseness of his hand. Thus he asked about the reason and Sa’d said that he worked with rope and shovel to earn money for his family. Then the holy prophet kissed Sa'd's hand and said, “This hand will not be burned in the fire of hell.”?

This precious statement shows the high respect attached for workers by Islam.

Islam has praised workers with the best and most honest characteristics. In Islam, working with the aim of earning halaal or lawful income is deemed as having the reward of jihad in the path of God and a worker has been entitled as mojahid fi sabil-Allah meaning the combatant in the way of God. Imam Jafar Sadeq (PBUH) the 6th infallible successor to Prophet Mohammad (Blessing of God upon him and his progeny) has been quoted as saying, “Whoever seeks God’s grace in making a living for his family, will be rewarded greater than that of a combatant in the way of God.”? The person who dies while making lawful money for his family is regarded as a martyr and will be duly rewarded in the afterlife.

One of the main points emphasized by Islam and divine leaders is that human beings should never give up working and they should laboriously work to fulfill their economic needs. The statement of Prophet Mohammad (Blessing of God upon him and his progeny) well clarifies the scale of a Muslim's efforts in his life when he says, “If you hold a sapling at your hand and the day of resurrection is near and you’ll be dead within a moment, plant it and then die.”?

All prophets and Imams used to work and they considered themselves as workers. Not only they were hard workers but they encouraged others to be so. According to a narration, during the construction of the Quba Mosque the holy prophet was engaged in working with Muslims hand in hand carrying small and large stones to the site of construction. Whenever one of the companions came to him and asked to work instead of God's Messenger, the holy Prophet would not permit him saying, “Go and take another stone.”?

Islam's view towards labour and the rights of workers and employer is very comprehensive. According to the Islamic injunctions certain rights have been determined for workers and much emphasis is put on their exact implementation.

Work and effort is one of the main factors in the economic and social development of societies. Basically labour displays the real power of nations. The more a nation works and endeavors, it will have a better access to more development. Imam Ali (PBUH) the first infallible successor to Prophet Mohammad (Blessing of God upon him and his progeny) says in this regard, “Those who endeavor gain access to growth and progress not the wise idlers.”?

Labour and endeavor play a great role in the physical and psychological health of mankind. Labour shows the inherent gem of mankind and whoever is not accustomed to work is actually unfamiliar with the culture of religion. A faithful man does not give up working and endeavor at any circumstances and considers it the source of his dignity. Imam Ali (PBUH) says, “You have to work and endeavor since truth is gained just through working.”? Joblessness and inactivity create many problems for mankind. A decrease in incomes affects not only the individual and his family but the entire society. In a society where unemployment is high, false jobs increase. In this case the society becomes vulnerable and corruption is increased.

The Holy Qur'an says in part of the last ayah of Surah Muzzammil:

"And others who travel in the land seeking of the bounty of Allah, and others who fight in Allah's way."

Love of self-esteem is one of the precious human tendencies and it has been mixed with the human nature. Mankind is naturally inclined to dignity and escapes from humiliation. It is in the light of work that human being achieves dignity. The holy Prophet and Imam Jafar Sadeq (PBUH), stressing the high value of dignity and self-esteem have not allowed their followers to humiliate themselves through unemployment and lethargy. Imam Sadeq (PBUH) says, “God does not allow a Muslim to humiliate himself.”? When we take into consideration the principle of labour we will see that the result of working is not only aimed at getting rid of poverty and hunger but it has other uses; for instance, work increases human dignity, that is, it creates the sense of respect and self-confidence and it is evident that whatever brings dignity for mankind deserves respect and glorification.

We end the article with a statement from the late leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) who says, “Workers are among the most valuable strata of the society. The big wheel of human communities is rotates with the capable hands of workers. The life of a nation is indebted to labour and workers.”?

The End
Source: IRIB World Service

The International Labour Day is an excuse to remember the people who put their entire energy at the service of production, progress, welfare and development. In this program we will have a glance at labour and worker from the viewpoint of Islam. Islam as a constructive and salvaging religion attaches a special dignity for everybody including workers. Upon returning from the battle of Tabouk, one of the companions of the prophet of Islam called Sa'd Ansari welcomed him and took the prophet's hands at his hand. The holy prophet realized the coarseness of his hand. Thus he asked about the reason and Sa’d said that he worked with rope and shovel to earn money for his family. Then the holy prophet kissed Sa'd's hand and said, “This hand will not be burned in the fire of hell.”? This precious statement shows the high respect attached for workers by Islam. Islam has praised workers with the best and most honest characteristics. In Islam, working with the aim of earning halaal or lawful income is deemed as having the reward of jihad in the path of God and a worker has been entitled as mojahid fi sabil-Allah meaning the combatant in the way of God. Imam Jafar Sadeq (PBUH) the 6th infallible successor to Prophet Mohammad (Blessing of God upon him and his progeny) has been quoted as saying, “Whoever seeks God’s grace in making a living for his family, will be rewarded greater than that of a combatant in the way of God.”? The person who dies while making lawful money for his family is regarded as a martyr and will be duly rewarded in the afterlife. One of the main points emphasized by Islam and divine leaders is that human beings should never give up working and they should laboriously work to fulfill their economic needs. The statement of Prophet Mohammad (Blessing of God upon him and his progeny) well clarifies the scale of a Muslim's efforts in his life when he says, “If you hold a sapling at your hand and the day of resurrection is near and you’ll be dead within a moment, plant it and then die.”? All prophets and Imams used to work and they considered themselves as workers. Not only they were hard workers but they encouraged others to be so. According to a narration, during the construction of the Quba Mosque the holy prophet was engaged in working with Muslims hand in hand carrying small and large stones to the site of construction. Whenever one of the companions came to him and asked to work instead of God's Messenger, the holy Prophet would not permit him saying, “Go and take another stone.”? Islam's view towards labour and the rights of workers and employer is very comprehensive. According to the Islamic injunctions certain rights have been determined for workers and much emphasis is put on their exact implementation. Work and effort is one of the main factors in the economic and social development of societies. Basically labour displays the real power of nations. The more a nation works and endeavors, it will have a better access to more development. Imam Ali (PBUH) the first infallible successor to Prophet Mohammad (Blessing of God upon him and his progeny) says in this regard, “Those who endeavor gain access to growth and progress not the wise idlers.”? Labour and endeavor play a great role in the physical and psychological health of mankind. Labour shows the inherent gem of mankind and whoever is not accustomed to work is actually unfamiliar with the culture of religion. A faithful man does not give up working and endeavor at any circumstances and considers it the source of his dignity. Imam Ali (PBUH) says, “You have to work and endeavor since truth is gained just through working.”? Joblessness and inactivity create many problems for mankind. A decrease in incomes affects not only the individual and his family but the entire society. In a society where unemployment is high, false jobs increase. In this case the society becomes vulnerable and corruption is increased. The Holy Qur'an says in part of the last ayah of Surah Muzzammil: "And others who travel in the land seeking of the bounty of Allah, and others who fight in Allah's way." Love of self-esteem is one of the precious human tendencies and it has been mixed with the human nature. Mankind is naturally inclined to dignity and escapes from humiliation. It is in the light of work that human being achieves dignity. The holy Prophet and Imam Jafar Sadeq (PBUH), stressing the high value of dignity and self-esteem have not allowed their followers to humiliate themselves through unemployment and lethargy. Imam Sadeq (PBUH) says, “God does not allow a Muslim to humiliate himself.”? When we take into consideration the principle of labour we will see that the result of working is not only aimed at getting rid of poverty and hunger but it has other uses; for instance, work increases human dignity, that is, it creates the sense of respect and self-confidence and it is evident that whatever brings dignity for mankind deserves respect and glorification. We end the article with a statement from the late leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) who says, “Workers are among the most valuable strata of the society. The big wheel of human communities is rotates with the capable hands of workers. The life of a nation is indebted to labour and workers.”? The End Source: IRIB World Service