LABOR DIGNITY IN THE EYES OF
ISLAM
LABOUR is an important factor of production and plays a vital role in economic
development of all the countries of the world including our country. It is
considered as an active element of production, because the major portion of her
national income is derived from labour, the importance of labour cannot be ever
emphasised.
Dr S M Akhtar, a well-known economist of our country states that without labour
it would be simply impossible for us to have numerous dishes at our dinning
table or to have various kinds of clothes to wear or to be able to reside in
beautiful houses. Abraham Lincoln, in his message to the Congress on December,
1861 said “Labour is prior and independent of capital.
Capital is only the fruit of labour and would never have existed if labour had
not first existed. Labour is superior to capital and deserves much higher
consideration.” There are two classes in the world (i) Haves (capitalists,
landlords, etc) (ii) Have-nots (labourers, workers, peasants, etc).
There is no religion or ideology except Islam, which guarantees the rights of
the workers and peasants ie the poorest and oppressed classes of the world.
Islam not only guarantees the rights of labour but also of the capitalist class.
Islam respects all kinds of work for ensuring one’s livelihood so long as there
is no injustice involved. The economic aspect of life envisaged by Islam is
based upon sound foundations and divine instructions. Earning one’s living
through decent labour is not only a duty but a great virtue as well.
The Holy Qur’an provides guidance for all human beings and is a complete code of
life. There are clear instructions for the capitalists as well as labours
regarding possession of wealth. There are two basic principles laid down in the
Holy Qur’an and Hadith for the master as well as the servant. The master shall
pay fully for the services rendered and the servant shall work faithfully and
honestly. Islam gives directions about the attitude of the employers for equal
treatment with servants and subordinates.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Your brothers are your servants whom ALLAH has
made your subordinate, he should give them to eat for what he himself eats and
wear for what he himself wears and do not put on them burden of any labour which
may exhaust them. And if you have to put such burden on yourself (in these
works). Hazrat Abu Hurrairah (RA) reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said
“ALLAH says there are three persons whose adversary in dispute shall be on the
day of resurrection, a person who makes a promise in My name then acts
unfaithfully and a person who devours prices and the person who employes a
servant and uses fully the labour from him and then does not pay the
remuneration.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did business, but he set personal examples of upholding
the dignity of labour. He performed a number of tasks that are today considered
humble. The ‘King’ of Arabia, and in fact of the entire universe, he would
kindle a fire, sweep the floor, milk goats, patch his clothes, mend his shoes
and help in household chores. That is why Carlyle regarded him as “the greatest
man” and yet the “greatest worker” of the world. His love for manual labour is
evident from one of his Traditions. Once when Jabir (R.A.) shook hands with him,
he (the Prophet) noted some scars and roughness on his (Jabir’s) palm. He
enquired about it. Jabir explained that he was a farrier (one who makes and fits
horseshoes). Listening to this, the Prophet kissed his hand.
Again it is related on the authority of Ibn Majah (RA) that the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
said, “The wages of labour must be paid to him before the sweat dries upon his
body. “In another Hadith the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “It is the duty of
employer to take only such work from the employees, which they can do easily.
They should not be made to work so that their health is impaired.” The Holy
Prophet (PBUH) said: “He is not Momin (true Muslim) who eats full stomach while
his neighbour is hungry.”
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Never has anyone eaten a
better thing than when he eats of his own hands. “The Holy Qur’an says, “And
that man will have nothing but what he strives for.” (53.40). The Holy Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) worked with his own hands. Previous Prophets also did labour for
their livelihood. Islam fully guarantees the rights of labour and gives
direction to the master for fair and good treatment to their subordinates.
Employers have been given the rules of conduct in their day- to-day affairs with
the employees. The latter have to be treated justly and kindly (Al Qasas:27).
The wages should be reasonable — commensurate with time, skills, and the labour
involved. Wages have to be settled at the time of employment and paid “before
the sweat of the workman dries up” (promptly). Employees are not to be burdened
with excessive workload beyond their capability as Shoaib (A.S.) said while
employing Musa (A.S.), “...I intend not to place you under difficulty. ALLAH
willing, you will find me one of the righteous” (Al Qasas:27). In the words of
the holy Prophet (SAW), “A worker is a friend of God.”
Workers rights in Islam,
All people are equal. It does not make any difference to what race they belong,
what color they have, what country they come from, what their gender is or what
their occupation is. Young and old, rich and poor, white and black, citizens or
foreigners with legal work permits are all equal; and they all should be
respected, honored, and treated equally. Almighty ALLAH says: [ O mankind! We
created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into
nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each
other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of ALLAH is (he who is) the
most righteous of you. And ALLAH has full Knowledge and is well acquainted (with
all things)] (Al-Hujurat 49:13).
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said the following words in
his last sermon:
"O people, indeed your Lord is one and your father is one. Behold, there is no
superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab, nor
for a white person over a black person, nor for a black person over a white
person, except through piety." (Musnad Ahmad) High Regard for Work and for
Workers
On the treatment of workers there are general and specific teachings in Islam.
The following five points must be emphasized:
1. Clear and proper agreements. All agreements, whether oral or written, must be
clear and transparent. The agreements must be just and lawful. Employees should
know their duties and responsibilities and they should be told their rights in
terms of vacations, leaves, compensations, etc. ALLAH says in the Qur'an [ O you
who believe, fulfill your contracts] (Al-Ma'idah 5:1). The Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) said, "Muslims must abide by their agreements, unless
there is an agreement that makes halal what is haram or makes haram what is
halal" (At-Tirmidhi). This means that illegal terms and conditions are not valid
under Islamic law. It is the duty of both the employers and the employees to
fulfill their agreements to the best of their capacities.
2. The dignity of workers. Islamic law allows all human beings the right to
enter upon any lawful profession or occupation and to conduct any lawful trade
or business. The workers should be treated with dignity and honor. No work is
menial or degrading. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) kissed the
hands of a laborer who showed him his rough hands due to his hard labor. He
prayed for him and spoke very highly of those who labor over against those who
sit idle or go begging. Islam teaches that workers should be treated with
kindness. ALLAH says [ Serve ALLAH, and make not any partners with Him in His
divinity. Do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who
are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the way-farer
(you meet) and those whom your right hands possess (your workers): for ALLAH
loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious. (Nor) those who are stingy, or enjoin
stinginess on others, or hide the bounties which ALLAH has bestowed on them; for
We have prepared, for those who are ungrateful, a humiliating punishment] (An-Nisaa'
4:36-37).
3. Kindness to workers. Workers are our brothers and sisters. They are our
helpers. We need them; we depend on them for many things that we cannot do for
ourselves. Workers should not be given work beyond their capacity. They should
have a humane and safe environment for work. They should be compensated if they
are injured on the job. They should have time for work and time for themselves
and their families. Children or minors should not be used for labor. Women
should have proper environment for hijab without jeopardizing the rules of
khalwah (privacy). They should not be employed in vocations that are unsuitable
to their gender, and they must be ensured maternity benefits in their
employment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Your
brothers are your responsibility. ALLAH has made them under your hands. So
whosoever has a brother under his hand, let him give him food as he eats and
dress as he dresses. Do not give them work that will overburden them and if you
give them such task then provide them assistance" (Al-Bukhari).
4. Proper and timely wages. Workers should be given proper and just wages.
Exploitation of any person is not allowed in Islam. ALLAH says [ To the Madyan
people We sent Shu`aib, one of their own brethren. He said: "O my people,
worship ALLAH; you have no other god but Him. Now has come unto you a Clear
(Sign) from your Lord. Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the
people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it
has been set in order: that will be best for you, if you have Faith] (Al-A`raf
7:85). ALLAH warns those who take full measure but give less to others: [ Woe to
those that deal in fraud. Those who, when they have to receive by measure from
men, exact full measure. But when they have to give by measure or weight to men,
give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account? On a
Mighty Day. A Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds]
(Al-Mutaffifin 83:1-6). Workers should also be paid on time. The Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Give to the worker his wages
before his sweat dries" (Ibn Majah)
5. Freedom to form unions. Based on all the above principles, we can also infer
that workers in Islam have a right to exercise the freedom of association and
the right to form unions. Special trade unions and associations help workers in
their work and socialization. They can also help workers to seek justice for
their rights and bargaining power to receive proper compensations. However,
employers and employees all must fear ALLAH in the exercise of their rights and
duties.