Work, technically speaking, is defined as "any
physical or mental activity undertaken by a person with the aim of production
in an institution, whether governmental or private, or in a craft or
profession."
From an Islamic perspective, work is honorable and
dignified and an obligatory duty for every capable person. Islamic law
encourages work and condemns laziness, ostentation, and waiting for charity.
Islam forbids idleness, succumbing to poverty, and failing to seek sustenance,
considering them causes of humiliation and degradation. Indeed, it views them
as contagious social diseases that afflict a nation, leading to backwardness
and decline. A strong society is strengthened by its people and weakened by
their inaction, laziness, and the squandering of the time and health God has
bestowed upon them. Work and taking the necessary steps to achieve it are the means
to self-restraint and earning a lawful living. Islam urged work in the words of
God. Almighty: “He it is who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e., easy
for you to walk, to live, and to do agriculture on it, etc.), so walk in the
path thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection.”
(Surat Al-Mulk: 15) And He says, “Then when the (Jumu'ah) Salat (prayer) is
finished, you may disperse through the land and seek the Bounty of Allah (by
working, etc.), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.” (Surat
Al-Jumu’ah: 10), and that work should be done in accordance with the pleasure
of Allah and His Messenger so that it may be accepted in the Hereafter, as in
the saying of Allah, the Exalted: “And say (O Muhammad SAW), 'Do deeds! Allah
will see your deeds, and so will His Messenger and the believers. And you will
be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will
inform you of what you used to do." (Surat At-Tawbah: 10). 105). The
Qur’an alerts us that the Messengers of God did not merely content themselves
with being messengers and prophets; rather, they worked, strove, and exerted
themselves, and did not rely on anyone for their livelihood, despite the
burdens of the call and being preoccupied with it. For example, our master
David, peace be upon him, used to eat from the work of his own hands. God
Almighty said, “And indeed We bestowed grace on David from us (saying), "O
you mountains. Glorify Allah with him! And you birds (also)! And We made the
iron soft for him" (Surat Saba: 10). And our master Noah was a carpenter
who worked with his own hands. So God Almighty commanded him to build the ship,
saying to him: “So We inspired him (saying): "Construct the ship under Our
Eyes and under Our Revelation (guidance). Then, when Our Command comes, and the
oven gushes forth water, take on board of each kind two (male and female) and
your family, except those thereof against whom the Word has already gone forth.
And address me not in favor of those who have done wrong. Verily, they are to
be drowned.” (Surat Al-Mu’minun: 27). And in His saying, “And construct the
ship under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration, and address Me not on behalf of
those who did wrong; they are surely to be drowned.” 37 And as he was constructing
the ship, whenever the chiefs of his people passed by him, they made a mockery
of him. He said, "If you mock at us, so do we mock at you likewise for
your mocking. 38 And you will know who it is on whom will come a torment that
will cover him with disgrace and on whom will fall a lasting torment." 39”
(Surat Hud: 37, 38) 39); Our master Moses worked as a shepherd for ten years as
a hired hand in the land of Midian before God sent him as a messenger. God
Almighty said, through the words of the righteous man from Midian, "He
said, 'I intend to wed one of these two daughters of mine to you, on condition
that you serve me for eight years, but if you complete ten years, it will be (a
favor) from you. But I intend not to place you under a difficulty. If Allah
wills, you will find me one of the righteous." (Surat Al-Qasas: 27).
The prophetic traditions encourage and urge us to seek
the best earnings from manual labor, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be
upon him, said, “A man does not earn a better living than by working with his
own hands, and a man does not spend on his own money.” His own self, his
family, his children, and his servant are all considered charity.” (Narrator:
Al-Miqdam bin Ma’di Karib; Source: Sahih Al-Targhib); and work is better than asking
people, as in the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “For
one of you to take his rope, bring a bundle of firewood on his back, and sell
it, so that God may protect his face with it, is better for him than asking
people, whether they give to him or refuse him.” (Narrator: Al-Zubayr bin
Al-Awwam; Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari); And striving for the well-being of young
children is in the path of God, as narrated on the authority of Ka'b ibn
'Ujrah, who said, "The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, passed by
me, and the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saw in
me strength and vigor, so they said, 'O Messenger of God, is this in the path
of God?' So the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
"If he went out striving for the well-being of his young children, then he
is in the path of God, and if he was..." If someone goes out to provide
for two elderly parents, he is on the path of God. If he goes out to provide
for himself and maintain his chastity, he is on the path of God. But if he goes
out to strive for show and pride, he is on the path of Satan.” (Narrated by
Ka’b ibn ‘Ujrah; Source: Al-Mutjar al-Rabih). And the working hand is the hand
that God and His Messenger love, as narrated on the authority of Al-Miqdam, may
God be pleased with him, on the authority of the Messenger of God, may God’s
prayers and peace be upon him, who said, “No one has ever eaten better food
than that which he earns by the work of his own hands. And indeed, the Prophet
of God, David, peace be upon him, used to eat from the work of his own hands.”
(Narrated by Al-Miqdam bin Ma’di Karib; Source: Sahih Al-Jami’).
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