Issue No: 159
3rd May 2013
22nd Jamaadi al Thani 1434 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
1st May: Day for the workers:
This week on the 1st of May, the International Workers' Day or Labour Day was observed throughout most of the countries of the world. In Bermuda, Canada and the United States, Labour day is celebrated on the first Monday of September. This day is to commemorate the victory of the struggle by workers to safeguard their rights including fight for the eight hours working day.
Celebration of work in Islam:
“And I have not created the Jinn and Men except that they should serve (ibadah) Me” Sura Adh Dhaariyat 51:56
The purpose of our creation is ibadah- service to Allah. In addition to fulfilling the various devotional deeds such as salat, sawm, haj, khums, zakat and other deeds which we commonly understand as ibadah, the effort of working in order to earn a living is also a deed of ibadah. When one strives to earn a lawful livelihood to meet his needs and of his family, this is celebrated as ibadah being in service to Allah SWT. One is considered to be in state of ibadah: worship and duly rewarded.
Work that earns Divine honour:
In performing any act of ibadah there are several pre-requisites or conditions necessary to be fulfilled when performing a deed. For the case of Salat some of the conditions include Qibla direction, Taharat, Niyyat and other requisites. It is essential that these are fulfilled for the validity and acceptance of this service to Allah SWT.
Likewise when undertaking the ibadah of work there are some conditions to pay attention towards attaining its acceptance as an ibadah for the effort expended in seeking livelihood.
Hand: the tool for work:
When undertaking any work or occupation an aspect to which one needs to pay attention is the right of the body. The hand is an important organ of the body which a worker utilizes to perform work:-ibadah.
In stating the right of the hand in the famous epistle called Risalatul Huquq –the Charter of rights- our fourth Imam Zaynul ‘Aabidin a.s states:“….it is the right of your hand that you should not extend it to what is forbidden to you, otherwise you will earn punishment from Allah…..and you should enhance the honour of your hand by withholding it from unlawful things…..”
Whilst being in work or having a profession is an honour, it is honourable to honour the right of the hand by undertaking the work that earns Divine pleasure and refrain from that which Divine wrath is poured. The success of achieving Divine pleasure is in undertaking the types of work /occupations that is lawful /permissible in Islam.
What is the reward of work?
Our eighth Imam Ali Ridha a.s. states that work is considered to be superior than the Jihad in the path of Allah.
This is an indication of the reward being greater than the reward for a mujahid- one who performs Jihad.
As you take a break to enjoy the bank holiday on 6th May for Labour Day /May Day are you grateful to Allah SWT for blessing you with the tawfiq to continue striving in undertaking work /occupation that is worthy of Divine honour and rewarded for being ibadah?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat