THE DIGNITY OF WORK IN ISLAM

1. Can a needy believer keep away from work without a genuine reason?
No, a needy believer can’t keep away from work without a genuine reason.


2. Earning a lawful living is an obligation. Explain. 
One has to earn a living in order to survive in this world. Islam enjoins and emphasises that a Muslim’s earnings must be through lawful means. Able-bodied Muslims are not permitted to beg and live at the mercy of others. Earning a lawful living is a form of worship (Ibadah), and therefore, an obligation in Islam.


3. What is the dignity of work in Islam? 
Dignity lies in working and striving to make a lawful living. Be it a white-collared job or a menial job, a job signifies that the worker has respect and honour. No job is to be held in contempt or considered inferior. Honour belongs to those who work and not to those who sit idle and survive as parasites.


4. What standard does Islam set on earning a living? 
The general standard about earning a living is that Islam does not permit its followers to earn money in any way they like; rather it draws a clear line between lawful and unlawful methods based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah. There is no limit for earning. Muslims are permitted to earn as much as they can provided they do lawful business adopting lawful means.


5. Allah’s Messenger disliked beggary and lethargy. Discuss. 
The fact that Allah’s Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), disliked beggary and lethargy can be understood from the following Hadith: ‘It is better for one of you to take his rope and fetch a load of firewood on his back and sell it than he should beg from people whether they give anything or refuse him’.


6. Is it right to hold certain manual jobs in contempt? Why?
No, it is not right to hold certain manual jobs in contempt because every job is important for the welfare of the society.


7. Which professions and industries does Islam forbid to believers?
Some of the professions and industries that are forbidden to believers are earning through:
1. Dancing and other immodest and shameful art
2. Making statues and similar articles
3. Production, sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks and drugs
4. Employment in night clubs, dancing halls, pubs, casinos and organisations dealing in usury
5. Gambling, interest, bribery, lotteries and such other practices which are harmful to the society.


8. What is the teaching of Islam relating to payment to workers?
The teaching of Islam relating to payment to workers is highlighted in the hadith: Pay the worker before his sweat dries. The workers must be paid promptly and there should not be any delay in the payment of their wages or salaries.


9. What will be the fate of the one who underpays his workers or just does not pay at all? 
The fate of the one who underpays his workers or just does not pay at all will be that Allah will become his adversary on the Day of Judgement. And when Allah becomes someone’s adversary, his fate is doomed.