Labour dignity in the eyes of Islam

LABOR DIGNITY IN THE EYES OF ISLAM

Introduction:

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 emphasized.

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 dining 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;

There is no religion or ideology except Islam, which guarantees the rights of the workers and peasants i.e. 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.

Two basic principles:

(i)                 The master shall pay fully for the services rendered;

(ii)               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,

(i)                 a person who makes a promise in My name then acts unfaithfully; and

(ii)               a person who devours prices; and

(iii)             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.

Conclusion:

There is no religion or ideology except Islam, which guarantees the rights of the workers and peasants i.e. 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.