This is the Beauty of Islam in Regulating Workers’ Rights (Part 1)

Islam really glorifies workers. Islam protects them and places them in a position of honor. In fact, long before the modern world discussed labor rights, Islam had already emphasized them. Whereas in previous times, in some teachings and views, work was often considered a form of slavery and dependency. There are also those who view work as something despicable and inferior.

Islam then came to establish basic rights for workers as an important part of society. Various regulations have been established to safeguard and guarantee these rights, in order to realize social justice and a decent life, not only for workers, but also for their families, both during life and after death.

Islam also reminds business owners to treat their employees humanely. They are ordered to respect workers’ rights, show compassion and kindness, and not burden them with work beyond their capabilities. And there are many other rights that Islam gives to workers, which can be briefly explained as follows:

First, workers have the right to receive wages

Workers’ monthly wages or salaries are one of the most important obligations that must be fulfilled by business owners. For this reason, Islam pays great attention to this issue. In Islam, work is not just about earning a living, but is seen as a form of worship. In fact, in some explanations, the value of work can be more important than other forms of worship, especially if the work is done to support the family or help other people who are busy praying.

To the point, someone who works hard to meet the needs of his brother who diligently worships, is considered to have greater virtue in charity. From this noble perspective, Islam highly upholds workers’ rights to wages, and emphasizes that every sweat and toil should be rewarded with appropriate and fair rewards.

Say air (wages or rewards) itself is mentioned in the Qur’an one hundred and fifty times. Its use does not only refer to wages in the everyday sense, but also in a broader and higher sense, for example the reward of alms in the temporary life of this world and in the afterlife.

One example of use air in the frequently used meanings we can find in the word of God Drug,

Say, “Whatever reward I ask of you, it is yours. My reward is only from Allah, and He is the witness of everything.”

“Say, ‘I do not ask for anything in return from you; it is all for you. My reward is none other than Allah, and He is the Witness of all things’.” (QS. Saba’: 47)

And in another verse, in the story of Prophet Shoaib and Prophet Musa ‘alaihimas-salam,

Then one of them came up to him, walking timidly. He said, “My father called you to reward you for what you gave us.”

“Then one of the two women came shyly. She said, ‘My father called you to reward you for your kindness in giving our (cattle) water’.” (QS. Al-Qashash: 25)

In those two verses, let’s say wages understood as compensation for work rendered or reward for services rendered. This means that every good deed and effort deserves a reward.

We also find the same thing in the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallamwhich shows that there is a very close relationship between working and getting wages. This principle applies generally, both in matters of this world and the hereafter. The verses in the Qur’an that talk about charity and retribution are not only limited to ritual worship, but are general rules that cover all types of work, both those of worship value and those of a worldly nature.

Also read: Criteria for Ideal Workers (Employees) According to Sharia

Second, workers have the right to receive wages on time

Islam emphasizes that wages must be given on time, as soon as possible after the worker completes his task. This is based on the words of the Prophet,

Give workers their rights, before their sweat dries up

“Give workers wages before their sweat dries up” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Buku ar-Ruhun, Chapter on Workers’ Wages, 2: 817)

Imam Al-Bukhari God bless also narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Allah SWT says: There are three people whom I will fight on the Day of Resurrection: a man who was given a gift by Me and then betrayed him, a man who sold a free person and spent his price, and a man who hired a laborer and took the full amount from him but gave him no wages.

“Allah Ta’ala said, ‘There are three groups who will be My enemies on the Day of Resurrection: (1) those who swear by My name and then betray, (2) those who sell free people and then eat the proceeds of the sale, (3) those who employ workers, take the results of their work, but do not pay their wages'” (HR. Al-Bukhari in Fathu al-Bari, 4: 2227)

Third, workers have the right to receive commensurate wages

A worker has the right to receive wages commensurate with his abilities and skills. Allah Drug said,

And do not take people’s property.

“Do not reduce human rights.” (QS. Al-A’raf : 85)

Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla also warns of the bad consequences when wages or scales are not given fairly, as He says,

Woe to the extortionists, who when they impose on people, they make them full, but when they measure or weigh them, they lose.

“Woe to those who cheat, namely those who, when measuring for themselves, ask for it to be fulfilled; but when measuring or weighing for others, they subtract.” (QS. Al-Muthaffifin: 1-3)

As for terms al-muthaffif himself means a person who reduces the rights of others. This word comes from Thafif is backwhich mean A little.

Fourth, workers have the right to continue working even if their productivity decreases

Business owners do not have the right to fire workers just because their work ability has decreased due to illness arising from their work, or because of advancing age and accompanying infirmities.

The general principle is, if a business owner has entered into a work agreement with someone, then that person spent his youth working and serving him, then in old age his enthusiasm and abilities weaken, then the business owner cannot just fire him. He is still obliged to receive the results of his work in his old age, just as he used to receive the results of his work in his youth and strength.

This principle is implied in a hadith of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam about a man who continued to burden his camel with work until it grew old and weak. When the camel became very weak, he intended to slaughter it to free himself from the costs of caring for it.

Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also said to him,

Why does your camel hesitate? He claims you are his son, so that when he grows up you want to slaughter him. He said: You have spoken the truth as a Prophet, you want that. By Him who sent you with the truth, I will not do that.

“‘Why did the camel complain to you? He thought you were the one who hired him. Then when he was old and weak, you wanted to slaughter him?’ The man answered, ‘You are right, by the One who sent you with the truth as a Prophet, I intend to do it. By the One who sent you with the truth, I will not do it’.” (HR. Ahmad, 4: 173)

Fifth, workers have the right to be treated with dignity and respect

Business owners must protect the dignity of their employees. The government must not humiliate them, force them arbitrarily, or treat them like lowly slaves. This principle is very clearly visible in Islamic teachings and is reflected in the lives of great figures.

One of them, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam He himself usually eats with his workers, and doesn’t even hesitate to help them lift and carry the burden of work. Therefore, it is absolutely not justified for business owners to hit or hurt their workers. If an action occurs that injures or physically harms the worker, the business owner must be responsible and bear the compensation.

Also read: Pay Your Employees’ Salaries Before Their Sweat Dries

Sixth, workers have the right to work without abandoning their obligations to Allah

Business owners are obliged to provide opportunities for their employees to carry out their obligations to God ‘Azza wa Jalla set upon himself, such as prayer and fasting. Because religious workers are the figures closest to goodness; he works sincerely, feels always supervised, maintains trust, and takes care of whatever has been entrusted to him.

Business owners must be careful not to belong to groups that hinder other people from the path of Allah and hinder the implementation of religious teachings. Allah Drug said,

People who prioritize the life of this world over the life of the afterlife and turn away from the path of Allah and desire it become astray, then they are included in the right-wing error.

“(Namely) those who love the life of this world more than the hereafter, hinder people from the path of Allah, and try to divert them. These are the people who are in deep error.” (QS. Ibrahim: 3)

Allah Drug also said,

Have you seen whether he is on the right path, or commands piety? Have you seen if he lies and turns around? Doesn’t he know that God is watching?

“What do you think if he is above guidance or commands piety? What do you think if he lies and turns away? Doesn’t he know that Allah is watching?” (QS. Al-‘Alaq: 11-14)

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Translator: Chrisna Tri Hartadi

Article Muslim.or.id

Source: Alukah.net