Muslims have two important duties to carry out: the duty to Allah and the duty to people (family, community, and country). One is spiritual, and the other is worldly. While Allah tells us to prepare for the next world, He also advises us not to neglect our worldly responsibilities. Allah (SWT) said:” Do not neglect your share in this world.” (28: 77)
Allah wants us to enjoy the bounty He has provided for us in this world. Allah (SWT) said:” Do you not see that Allah has subjected to your use all things in the heavens and on earth, and has made His bounties flow to you in exceeding measures both seen and unseen,” (31:20) and that “It is He who has made the earth manageable for you; so traverse you through its regions and enjoy of the sustenance which He furnishes.” (67:15)
Islam tells us that the world and all the resources in it are provided for the use of man and therefore urges mankind to exploit these resources wisely, strictly observing the other principles of Islam, namely, avoiding greed and keeping to moderation. Otherwise, mankind will be on the losing side if these natural resources are misused or abused. For example, excessive cutting down of trees by the logging industry is affecting the ecology, and this may bring great harm to all living things on earth, including human beings.
Allah urges us not to abandon this world, but to actively take part in all worldly activities and affairs. Confining or retiring to a corner as an ascetic, making no progress in the living conditions, and doing no work to earn a living are all un-Islamic attitudes. Our Prophet (SAW) said:” Allah likes to see the believer working at his profession.” He also said:” Indeed Allah likes the one who has a craft,” and that “The one who earns his sustenance lawfully through his efforts is a beloved of Allah.” These sayings mean that Allah showers His blessings and beneficence on people who work hard in a craft, profession, or business for their sustenance and general progress.
Islam commands us to work to the best of our ability to earn our livelihood and achieve success in life. It commands us to use our minds; learn and acquire every kind of knowledge, skill, and profession; indulge in research and exploration, and seek every sort of lawful means for a useful life on earth. In Islam, the striving to do work to the best of one’s ability to achieve excellence is jihad.
All honest and legitimate work is Islamic and forms the lifeblood of human progress. Work includes students’ school work, housewives’ household work, chores and wage-earners’ responsibilities, as all these are part of Islamic worship. Allah (SWT) said:” Work, and Allah will see your work.” (9:10). This means that, first of all, work is obligatory and that Allah will judge your work according to what you do and how you do it. In Islam, idleness is a sin; industry, a virtue.
Islam tells us not to disregard life but to live and live it well. It tells us to adopt suitable measures to raise the standard of living, for then only can we enjoy the fruits of our labor. It emphasizes the importance of labor and gives us full liberty to choose any work according to our capacity and taste, but the work must satisfy the Islamic condition of decency and honesty.
Indeed, one of the greatest services the Prophet rendered to humanity was to place great value on work. He told people to work faithfully. He was an indefatigable worker. He did every kind of work. No work was too low for him. He milked his goats; he cleaned his house; he assisted his wife in her household chores, and labored in many kinds of work with his companions and followers. He never despised any work, thus demonstrating through his example that every kind of work dignifies man.
Regarding the dignity of work, our Prophet said:” No one eats better food than that which he eats out of the work of his hand,” and that “If one of you should take his rope and bring a bundle of firewood on his back and he sells it, it is better for him than that he should beg of people.” He also said:” He who seeks the world lawfully, refrains from begging, caters for his family, and is kind to his neighbors, will meet Allah with his face shining like the full moon.”
Islam condemns begging and laziness and places great stress on hard work. Our Prophet said:” Beg not anything from people,” and that “A man has not earned better income than that which is from his labor.”
Omar, the second Caliph, in emphasizing this Islamic teaching of earning one’s livelihood through hard work, said:” No one of you should stay away from seeking livelihood and say,’ O Allah! Give me sustenance’, for the sky will not rain gold and silver”. Our Prophet also said:” Seek the bounty of Allah and be not a burden on others.”
In Islam, the honest way of seeking livelihood is a service to the family and the community, and therefore to Allah. Work is so important that our Prophet said,” Next to obligatory prayer is the obligation of earning an honest living.”
An earning that is acquired honestly through any kind of work, even manual labor, is appreciated and encouraged by Islam. Allah said:” But when the prayer is ended, disperse freely on land and seek Allah’s grace, and remember Allah often so that so may be successful.” (62: 10). Thus, any work to sustain livelihood is part and parcel of worship.
Shaik A. Kadir
