In this world, nothing can be had without labour. It is labour and industry which has contributed to the progress of civilisation. Where would the world have been today if no one had worked? Certainly, it would have been dark, the unshapen heap of different objects. Due to the existence of labour, the world is now in beautiful shape. A unique feature of Islamic labour provisions is the dignity of the labourers. Islam teaches that all people are equal and should be respected and treated equally. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and We made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, (the most noble of you near Allah) is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Knower, All-Aware.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13)
Islam is the religion of nature; it shows the perfect way of life. Labour has a lot of importance in Islam. In a traditional Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him), “Labour is the friend of God”, it shows how much importance Islam gives to the Labour. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and We made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, (the most noble of you near Allah) is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Knower, All-Aware.” ( Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13)
The economic cycle in Islam and in general consists of three aspects: production, distribution, and consumption. Every aspect has its stakeholders that play their own important roles to make sure the economy is growing by the day. Production is the process by which goods are made, for the sake of the consumers and for economic purposes. Islam is a religion that particularly pays attention to labourers, as they are an important part of the production process.
The Concept and Nature of Labour in Islam:
- The right to be fired when the performance is lacking
- To obtain the rights determined by the employers
- The wages have to be given directly after work
- Right to choose a job that is appropriate for him
- Right to choose a job that is suitable for him
- An Opportunity to Make a Brotherhood
- To be given time to do religious rituals
- The right to complain about injustice
- To Make Our Everyday Lives Easier
- Not to be abused during his work
- An Important Part of Production
- To Improve Economic Growth
- A Brother to Protect
- Right to get off days
- Right to get a proper wage
- As a Provider to Our Needs
- To Create Mutual Symbiosis
- The right to receive kindness
- Right to be paid on the due time
- To receive wages at a fair amount
- Their dignity should be preserved
- Showing Us the Ethics of Hard Work
- Right to have rest between work times
- Right to create unions between labourers
- Right to work at the exact amount of time
- To Help Another Muslim to Fulfil Their Needs
- To Make Humans Grateful Towards One Another
- Right to refuse the work that might cause done physical harm
Islamic teachings might have appeared prominently in labour and employment laws in Muslim countries. Despite that, the labour and employment laws of Muslim countries do not fully reflect the Islamic provisions of labour relations. Islam, as a complete code of life of a Muslim, can have a notable impact on modifying and accepting labour laws in Muslim countries that may not only comply with the international labour standard but also make convenient provisions for improving the standard of living of general labourers.
Obligations of Labourers
Besides becoming an important part of society, and the rights that need to be fulfilled by employers and society, the labourers also have some obligations, as listed below:
- To follow the order of his employers.
- To work at the exact amount of working time.
- To do the work assigned by his employers.
- Perform the specified work and do their best in it.
- To work in good condition of physical and mental health.
Labour is highly valued in Islam. Labour is a form of worship. Islam considers labour as a virtuous endeavour. It is mandatory for every person who can do any work. Islam plays a significant role in the protection and promotion of labour rights. On the other hand, the remarkable aspects of Islamic labour provisions are that they clearly identify the duties of workers and thus create a balance in the labour environment. Islam says about almost all kinds of labour rights.
The Prophet said: ‘Verily, Allah loves that when any one of you does something, he does it perfectly.’ (Al Bukhari)
Brotherhood is one important thing in Islam and should be considered a gift from Allah SWT. We have to appreciate and be grateful to the labourers as their hard work benefited us. This is a good opportunity to create a strong bond between us and the labourers by sending each other prayers and good wishes. Allah says:
وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
“And to Madyan, his brother Shuaib. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah, not for you any god other than Him. Verily, it has come to you a clear proof from your Lord. So give full measure and the weight and do not deprive the people of their things and (do) not cause corruption in the earth after its reformation. That is better for you if you are believers.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:85)
Islamic instinct provides that all the efforts and actions of Muslims will be rewarded or punished in the hereafter. This concern for the other world makes the persuasions stronger than just legal injunctions. But it also needs to be kept in mind that Islam puts equal stress on the importance of legal provisions. The clear stance of Islam is that legal provisions must have moral and ethical support to be effective.
