Dignity of labour in Islam
By Rahim Dino Mahar

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 even in the highly industrialised country like Britain because the major portion of her national income is derived from labour, in our country Pakistan, which is predominantly an agricultural country, the importance of labour cannot be everemphasised.

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).

If we look at the history of the world, we will find that there is always conflict between these two classes. It is due to improper distribution of wealth, unfair treatment to labour by the capitalists and disobedience on the part of labour also which creates non-cooperation and uncongenial atmosphere between these two classes, which hampers the economic development of the countries of the world.

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.”

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.”

Islam not only protects the rights of the workers but also of the employers. It has tried to impress upon the working class to work faithfully, honestly, diligently and with deep sense of dignity of labour. The last words of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) before his departure from this world were, “Take heed of daily prayers and of the rights of those who are subordinate to you. “Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) on assumption of the office as the first Caliph in Islam said “Verily the weakest among you is the strongest in my eyes till it get him what is his due, from him.

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. ●

© 2005 Rahim Dino Mahar