The Criteria for Workers (Employees) Ideal according to the Shari’a

Humans are social creatures. He could not live alone, even though he had abundant wealth and great power. In every aspect of life, including in work, someone needs one another.

In the world of work, not a few business or business that collapses, not because of lack of capital or strategies that are less reliable, but because of mistakes in choosing people who are trusted to work together. How many companies go bankrupt because of dishonest employees. How many leaders are sorry for wrongly judging his subordinates. In fact, not infrequently, business relations are destroyed only because one party betrayed trust.

Then, how does Islam teach us to choose the ideal worker? Is it just looking at skills or experience?

Al -Qur’an provides beautiful answers and wisdom. When Moses ‘Alaihissalam Helping two women in the state of Madyan to take water, one of them said to his father,

He asked him.

“Yes, my father, take it as a working person, because it is the fastest person you take to work (for us) is Strong people are trusted (trustworthy). “ (Surah Al-Qashash: 26)

From this verse, we can know that there are two main criteria for the ideal worker according to the Shari’a:

First, Al-Qawiy (strong)

Strong referred to here is not just muscle strength, but broader: strong in the field of work. Technically strong, strong in skills, strong in dealing with pressure, and strong in making decisions.

The strength in each job varies depending on the type and type of work. For example, between executive or military power (such as warlords) and judicial power (such as judges), of course different aspects of “strong”.

For warlords, the power needed is physical, strategy, strategy and technique of fighting; Whereas the strength judge is seen from the knowledge and knowledge of the laws or propositions and their applications in the case at hand. (Look Advanced ‘al-Faw, 28: 276 and Advanced ‘al-Faw, 28: 365)

Second, Al-Amin (Trust)

Mandate is a binding trait between the heart, speech, and deed. The trustworthy person is not only honest, but also responsible, trustworthy, and keeping secrets. He will maintain the best possible work, not because he is watched by his boss, but because he feels watched by God Tax. It did not betray the responsibility entrusted to him.

Between strong and trustworthy, which is more important?

If asked which is more important, the answer depends on the context and type of work to be lived.

Imam Ahmad was once asked about who could be the leader of war or commander, what was physically strong but lacking pious (trust) or pious but physically weak?

Imam Ahmad Rahimahullah Answered,

As for the strong immoral, he said to Muslims and his amorality to himself; As for the weakness that is weak, it is good for himself and its weaknesses for Muslims

“As for the first (physical strong but lack of pious), physical strength is beneficial for Muslims in general. As for the lack of palents, harming himself. As for the second person (Saleh but his physical weakness), his discharge is only for himself, while his physical weakness harms the Muslims (many people).” (Look Advanced ‘al-Faw, 28: 255-256)

Of course, this situation will be different if the intended work is related to finance or position that requires honesty and full responsibility, such as treasurer somewhere. In work like this, mandate and honesty are top priorities. Because if it is lost, the damage caused will be very large, both for individuals and the wider community.

Both, strong and trustworthy, have their respective places; And the most perfect is if the two exist and complement each other.

A reflection

In the world of work today, many prioritize interesting CVs, brilliant portfolios, or sweet words in interviews. But Islam teaches to look deeper: is he strong and trustworthy? Because in the end, progress and blessing in the business are not only determined by what appears on paper, but by who we trust to walk with us.

Hopefully we become a strong and trustworthy person, and be able to choose coworkers or employees who also have these two noble traits. Amen.

Also read: Don’t Make Your Work Just a Daily Routine

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Writer: Arif Muhammad Nurwijaya

Article Muslim.or.id

Reference:

It’s a lifestyle, Karya Sheikh Dr. Umar bin Abdullah al-Muqbil.