By Abdullahi Jamaa
In his book ‘The Revival of the Religious Sciences’ (Iḥyāʾ ʿulūm al-dīn), the great Muslim scholar Imam Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī quoted the wise Luqman advising his son “O dear son, shut up poverty by lawful earning, because he who is poor earns three habits: laxity in religious activities, weakness in intellect and loss of manliness”
Islam is a religion of worshiping the Creator, with an indispensable part of that worship being working for oneself. Allah tells us in the Qur’an to traverse the universe and make use of all the plentiful resources that have been created for us.
“And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed. (Quran 62:10)” in this Qur’anic commandment that inculcates the importance of seeking sustenance, we can learn that working for our provision is second to Ibadah.
In the same book, Imam Al-Ghazali mentioned that prophet Issa (AS) once saw a man who had completely devoted himself to worship. When he asked him how he got his daily bread, the man replied that his brother, who worked, provided him with food. Prophet Issa (AS) then told him, “That brother of yours is more religious than you are”
Seeking employment is a resplendent duty that has a fundamental significance in the life of a Muslim. Employment that may involve working for other people is also another avenue to earn and accumulate wealth.
Both the Holy Quran and Hadiths of the prophet (SAW) have regarded work as a noble act of worship highly recommended in order to earn a decent and honest living.
Al-Aswad bin Yazid narrated that I asked ‘Aisha “What did the Prophet use to do at home?” She said, “He used to work for his family, and when he heard the Adhan (call for the prayer), he would go out.”
Employment creates an enthusiastic platform for hardworking individuals to learn entrepreneurial and general life skills. Employment in Islam not only means working for one’s family but it means contributing to the public basket of development in pockets of ways intended to advance the general wellbeing of the community.
Employment is an oriental practice that stimulates economic development in both formal and informal sectors of the economy. Many wealthy individuals have horned and perfected their business skills from working as employees in public or private sectors.
In any economy, the role of employees cannot be underestimated. They are the engine of productivity, they are the wheels that rotate the economy and the scale that balances socio-economic development of communities and nations.
And with the entry of gig economy, the role of workers has eased production, reduced prices and improved quality of affordable goods and services. In a nut shell, workers are a primary pillar in the growth and expansion of nations.
It is from this background that Islam highly regards the role of employees as a crucial one. But above anything, the struggle for sustenance, working for yourself, your family and dependents is an act of dignity that exemplifies social and economic independence of a human being.
Umar Ibn Khattab, the second caliph of Islam is reported to have said “Let not one of you sit in his house rather than actively seeking sustenance saying ‘O God provide for me’ when you know quite well that the sky does not rain gold and silver”
So we learn that seeking sustenance in Islam is not just about making dua and twiddling fingers. While praying to Allah for blessings is an important aspect of worship, our blessed religion advocates for reliance on one’s brain and brawn in earning a living. Our expectation from Allah should always be higher as a way to boost our consistent efforts and hard work.
Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘if one of you were to carry a bundle of firewood on his back and sell it, that would be better than asking a man who may or may not give him something.”‘ [Sunan an-Nasa’i]
Dual efforts of trusting your Creator and tying your camels is the recommended pattern in the virtuous life of a Muslim. The consciousness of working for yourself behind the belief that you are serving your Lord is what makes work as Ibadah.
Work forfeits its inclusion into the list of worship activities if the doer doesn’t have the correct intention. A sincere will to do and act for the sake of Allah is a fundamental requirement of any Islamic religious duty.
When we make our intentions clear about our work, when we believe that it is an act of worship, when we do it to the best of our ability, only then will we get the right spiritual connection of our life.
Productivity
Employment is enjoyable when the doer is spiritually connected to Allah. Working without a strong Islamic belief makes one lazy, uncompetitive and unproductive.
The unseen strength that makes an employee creatively competent is the unceasing veneration that is backed by dutiful prayers, sincere dua and true reliance on Allah- the sustainer of the universe.
Negligence of acts of worship in the pursuit of sustenance is the cause of endless distress at many workstations. The unseen weakness that makes an employee merely incompetent results from the evident laziness that originates from sheer disregard to worshipping Allah.
It goes without saying that the connecting dots of productivity lies in the correct balance of work and worship. For instance, praying the five daily prayers, the second pillar of Islam is one way to bless the productivity of a Muslim employee.
The five daily prayers form a strong foundation for individual’s personal success and development. All acts of worship, big or small, long or short is the best way to tap into the blessings of Allah.
Hot-desking and Joggling from one office task to another overwhelms the tired and limited brains of an individual, timely daily prayer satisfies one’s religious commitments in the midst of a working life.
In the Call to Prayer (the Adhan), which is called from the mosque five times a day, the caller says these words: “Come to prayer. Come to Success.”
Your prompt answer to the call to prayer, which means shutting down your computer, crossing over the street to the nearby mosque and prostrating with Muslims, is the ultimate attainment of success not just for this world but also for the next.
Apart from giving you a deserving break from work, prayer itself is a gift from Allah. Throughout a day it permits the remembrance of Allah, allowing you to recollect the purpose of your creation. You will evaluate your role as a person, through this routine you may develop the urge to gather good behaviours and dropping bad ones. When you come back to your desk, your face beams with smiles and your unstinting emotions eases your mind and heart.
Prayer invigorates both body and soul, it stimulates the brain, and it enhances logical reasoning further increasing productivity. This is just one example of how one act of Ibadah can increase the performance of a Muslim worker.
The ultimate strength that is required to rejuvenate your body to perform at optimum level at your workplace is found in remaining true to your religion-Islam.
A Muslim has an enormous obligation to draw and maintain an effective borderline in work-worship environment. It requires a tactful equilibrium of jerking from work to worship and from worship to work. It requires patience and understanding of important tasks, it requires proper planning and organization.
With a mind dedicated to worshipping Allah, working for people becomes easier. You will earn more respect from your supervisors and colleagues while you put Allah first in everything you do.
The goal of a dedicated Muslim employee is to handle and manage his daily tasks as an important aspect of life. Just like the owner of wealth, the job that makes you earn a living is a trial and a spiritual test that reaffirms an individual’s faith. Taking job lightly (not taking it as an act of ibadah) is a wanton irresponsibility.
Halal & Haram earnings
While Islam regards work as an act of Ibadah, some fundamental regulations and conditions of working for people must be fulfilled. There are certain jobs that involve certain forbidden characteristics such as immoral behaviour, corruption, bribery or interest-based transactions.
Any work that would involve such characteristics would be questionable and the income of which is deemed haram by Allah. It all goes back to fearing Allah, respecting your deen and protecting yourself from the torment of hellfire during the day of judgement.
During these modern days most people are concerned more about their career, dignity, status and profession. The current generation of Muslims are unaware about Islamic dealings. The overwhelming majority of Muslims have only synchronised Islam in Prayer only.
In the world of today people are much more concerned about halal foods than halal incomes. The Prophet (SAW) said: “A time will come upon the people when they will not care as to how one gets his money whether legally or illegally.” (Bukhari).
The concept of Halal and Haram is not limited to physical goods and services, it is also applicable to the method of earning in employment and in business. Moreover, Allah ordered people to eat Halal things. In another verse Allah says: “O you mankind! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the devil, for he is to you an avowed enemy.” (Qur’ān 2:168)
It is therefore a deeply entrenched religious commandment to earn halal and keeping away from haram sources of income that includes working for people dealing with haram investments. The prophet (SAW) said “it is compulsory on every Muslim to seek lawful earnings. He who seeks lawful earnings will get the rank of a martyr”
Professionalism
Islam provides directions on personal conducts of employees. It requires workers to conduct themselves professionally as they execute their day-to-day office activities.
Ethical practices that transcends modern employment environments have been an Islamic edict that took shape and form during Prophet Muhammad’s tenure.
The two most important characters of a Muslim employee are Al-Quwwah and Al-amanah, the former translated as ‘strength’ and that latter as trustworthiness.
When prophet Musa (AS) left Egypt for the purpose of keeping himself safe from the ill intentions of the unjust Pharaoh and his army, he headed towards the city of Madyan, the city of Prophet Shuayb (AS). On the way, he came to a water-well, he found a crowd of people watering herds, and he found aside from them two women driving back their herds. He said, “What is your circumstance?” They said, “We do not water until the shepherds dispatch [their flocks]; and our father is an old man.” Prophet Musa watered the herds for the ladies.
In this great story, the holy Quran highlights personal characters of prophet Musa as told by the ladies that he was strong and truthful. Later on Prophet Shuaib hired prophet Musa as persuaded by one of his daughters. The Holy Quran says of this “One of the women said, “O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.”
Each of these two Arabic words combine a number of individual character ingredients that must be fulfilled in the implementation of duties. In Islamic circles Al-Quwwah (strength) combines an employee’s qualification, knowledge, training, skill, expertise, talent, capability, ability, aptitude, self-discipline, prudence, expedience, transparency and experience.
Al-Quwwah also includes good physical health which is an important component of strength .These elements are prerequisites for any professional Muslim employee who hopes to achieve productivity and excellence in career and work.
The other important character, Al-Amannah which is more than trustworthiness as it is the combination of numerous related qualities which make a professional worthy of being called one.
Al-Amannah involves the spiritual internalisation of good values that could ascertain the prevalence of ethical conduct and behaviour in the course of being a professional.
Al-Amanah encompasses trustworthiness, truthfulness, integrity, responsibility, accountability, commitment, attitude, justice and fairness, proactiveness and kaizen.
A Muslim employee has no option but to abide by the principles of both Al-Quwwah and Al-Amannah. While we may have some certain physical and metaphysical weaknesses, it is in the interest of our productivity that we develop habits and characters that makes us more professional in our work.
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah,(SAW), said, “You must be truthful. Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to be truthful and encourages honesty until he is recorded with Allah as truthful. And beware of falsehood. Verily, falsehood leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the Hellfire. A man continues tell lies and encourages falsehood until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.”
In another hadith Prophet Mohamed (SAW) said “best earning is what is earned by the labour of hand with sincerely’. It means the employee must be honest in his dealing with his bosses, fulfil the obligations of his employment and must avoid harming his employer through negligence of duties and perpetration of cruelty.
Islamic Professionalism further includes the act of respecting your superiors, following directions as long as they don’t contradict the fundamental teachings of Islam.
Rudeness inundates performance, it negates the objectives of the business and its directors, it affects deliverables and targets. Toeing the line, abiding by company policies and helping your manager to achieve a milestone is a duty of a Muslim employee.
Selfless and dedication is one other important requirement in Islamic work environment. Give in your best, leave no stone unturned and handle your duties with enthusiasm.
Let people feel your presence as well as your absence. When you are present be a strong pillar in the office that everybody wants to lean on, bosses and employees alike. When you are absent leave a legacy behind that you are missed. Your empty desk should reveal the vacuum that you have left, that no one else can fill.
Be innovative and upbeat. Go that extra mile in stimulating creativity while you align your work and personal productivity. Through this way, you will scale your knowledge base in the spirit of personal development, through this way you will become more productive, through this way you will emerge as a winner, a successful employee and the darling of every company.
Treat your colleagues respectfully, do not envy, do not malign and spy on them. Concentrate on your work while you appreciate their role in the company. Always enhance collaboration, reason with them, and feel mercy for them when they are weak, support them in the spirit of team work.
Employees are required to take up jobs in the spirit of worship for their own improvement. In fact this is the Islamic motivating force which leads to success of organizations and individuals.
Scholars of Islam have said Allah loves us when we are doing something good and loves us most when we do it in the most excellent manner. Islamic principles of employment requires the nurturing of important human qualities that propels productivity, competency and performance.
Abdullahi Jamaa is the founder of The Plu Media, the publisher of www.theplu.co.ke, a news and information portal for Kenya Muslims. You can contact him by mail: editor@theplu.co.ke or follow him on facebook at Abdul jamaa.
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