Guidelines from Muhammad SAW for Treating Workers

 

Labor is a profession that has existed throughout the world for a long time. Because of this, the UN designated May 14 as Labor Day. Likewise, in Islamic literature, the problem of workers, especially agricultural workers, has received quite a lot of attention. In Islam, workers or laborers also receive special attention from the Prophet Muhammad. In history, there are many hadiths that recommend behaving kindly towards slaves, servants and workers. Slaves in the past were workers who were not free, while today's workers, labourers, servants are free people. However, even for slaves who were in the lowest social caste at that time, the Prophet advised them to do good.

Here are some of the Prophet's messages about doing good to workers.

One, our workers are our brothers

The hadith narrated by Mustawrid bin Syadad states that the Apostle said: "Whoever works for us, let him look for a wife (for him); a servant, if he doesn't have one, let him look for one for his servant. If he doesn't have a place to live, let him look for a place to live."

The meaning of "finding" can mean renting, lending, or giving a lift so they can live in it. This habit has been carried out by farmers who provide shelter and food for groups of workers, usually planting workers, who come from other areas. The duration can be a week to a month.

Islam positions servants as relatives of their masters. From Abu Dzar RA, the Prophet said: "Your brothers are your slaves. Allah makes them under your control." (HR. Bukhari). The Prophet called servants like the master's brothers so that they were equal in rank to brothers.

The Apostle forbids giving a servant a workload that exceeds his or her ability. Even if it had to be done, he ordered the employer to help him. "Do not burden them (slaves), and if you give them tasks, help them." (HR. Bukhari). "The relief you give to your slave, it becomes a reward in the scales of your deeds." (HR. Ibn Hibban, declared authentic by Syuaib al-Arnauth).

Workers are equal to superiors. Workers, laborers and domestic servants; are essentially the same as humans. Equal to his master. So, don't look down on yourself and treat your subordinates as you please. The Prophet even advised us to make servants like brothers.

From al-Ma'rur, he said he met Abu Dzar in Rabadzah who wore the same clothes and jewelry as his slaves. The Messenger of Allah rebuked Abu Dzar: "O Abu Dzar, .... Your servants are your brothers too. Allah made them under your authority. So those whose brothers are under your authority, feed them from what they eat, give them clothes from what they wear, and do not burden them with work that they cannot afford. Even if it becomes burdensome, help them," (HR. Bukhari).

Two, don't abuse workers or employees

In the hadith qudsi from Abu Hurairah RA, the Prophet narrated that Allah said: "There are three people, who will be My enemies on the Day of Resurrection: ... the person who employs a worker, the worker fulfills his duties, but he does not give him (the appropriate) wages." (HR. Bukhari and Ibn Majah).

From Abu Hurairah, the Prophet said: "It is not an arrogant person, a master who eats with his slaves, .....etc." (HR. Bukhari, Baihaqi, al-Albani). Not only was he good in world affairs, the Prophet also paid attention to the afterlife affairs of his servants. He once had a servant who was still a Jewish teenager. One day this Jew was very sick. The Prophet visited him and paid attention to him. When he felt that he was approaching death, the Prophet visited him and sat beside his head. He invited this child to convert to Islam. The child spontaneously looked at his father, as if he wanted to ask for his opinion. The father said: "Obey Abul Qosim (the name of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)." He also converted to Islam, and after that his soul came out.

Three, Give wages as soon as possible

In a hadith narrated by Ibn Majah, the Prophet compared giving wages or salaries on time to the expression "before the sweat dries". The Apostle requires employers to provide their employees' salaries on time, without any reduction. "Give employees (laborers) wages before their sweat dries." (HR. Ibn Majah and authenticated by al-Albani).

Don't abuse wages. Don't hire workers but then don't pay them. In a Qudsi hadith, from Abu Hurairah Rasulullah Saw. said, "Allah says, 'Three people I will be enemies with on the Day of Resurrection: the person who swears in My name and then betrays; the person who sells a free person and then eats the proceeds; and the person who employs a worker and then demands fulfillment of the obligation, then does not give the worker wages," (HR Bukhari).

Four, for employers to be humble, compassionate and not rude

The Prophet taught that masters should behave respectfully and treat their slaves as honorable people equal to them. In this case, being kind to subordinates actually erodes the seeds of arrogance or arrogance within oneself.

From Abu Hurairah ra., Rasulullah SAW said: "It is not arrogant for a person to eat with his servant, ride a himar in the markets, and tie a goat and milk it" (HR. Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad.). In order not to feel high, the Apostle advised employers to eat together with their workers.

Rasulullah SAW. set an example of good behavior towards servants, slaves and workers. As a powerful person, he never hit anyone with his hands except in battle. From Aisyah ra, said, "The Messenger of Allah never hit anyone with his hands, nor did he hit women nor did he hit servants or slaves, except when he was fighting jihad fi sabilillah," (HR Muslim).

An employer should not give work that burdens his employee to the point that he cannot bear it. Unless his employer helps him. Rasulullah SAW said, Do not burden them with something they cannot afford. If you impose something on them then help.” (HR Bukhari-Muslim).

Don't be rude. Aisyah narrated: "The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam never hit with his hands at all, not women, nor slaves." (HR. Muslim, Abu Daud). The Apostle also forbade his friend, Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari, from beating his slaves.

Anas bin Malik RA was the Prophet's assistant for almost nine years. Anas testified that the Messenger of Allah was the person with the best morals. One day (when I was a child), he asked me to do a certain task. I muttered: I don't want to go. Meanwhile my mind was shouting to go and fulfill the command of the Prophet of Allah. I set off, passing by a group of children playing in the market. I also played with them. Suddenly Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam grabbed my nape from behind. I looked at him, and he laughed. He said: "O Anas, go as I ordered."

Apart from that, Anas admitted that the Apostle had never once scolded or criticized what he did. The Prophet was very attentive to the needs of his servants, even to the point of encouraging them to marry, as happened to Rabi'ah bin Ka'b al-Aslami.

Five, you should employ a Muslim, strong and trustworthy

Hiring non-Muslims can only be permitted if you cannot find a Muslim who has expertise in that field. Umar bin Khattab was angry with Abu Musa al-Asy'ari because he had hired a Christian scribe during his leadership in Kufa. According to Umar, this could only be allowed if he couldn't find a Muslim. who masters that field. Rasulullah SAW once said: "... I will not ask for help from polytheists." (Muslim HR from Aisyah).

A Muslim should employ someone who is trustworthy, good in religion, strong and worthy. This is in line with Surah Al-Qashash verse 26: "Indeed, the best person you can take to work (for us) is someone who is strong and trustworthy." People with traits like this will be able to carry out their duties and be more devoted to Allah SWT.

A worker must carry out his duties with full trust and without betrayal. He should fear Allah, even when his master is not around. He must also feel under supervision so that he does his job well. So, an employee must hand over profits to the employer honestly. The Messenger of Allah said, a treasurer who is trustworthy, who fulfills what he is ordered to do with pleasure, is one of those who gives alms (HR Bukhari-Muslim).

A worker must not take something for himself because that is treason. Apart from that, he also has to be careful in accepting gifts because of his position. Muamalah between employer and employee must be characterized by ease, gentleness and complete willingness. Islam strongly recommends convenience in all forms of muamalah. Rasulullah SAW once said, Allah has mercy on people who find it easy to sell, buy and collect. (HR Bukhari, from Jabir).

Six, Start with an agreement

Islamic teachings require an agreement between the employer and the employee. The agreement includes the work requested, an explanation of its character and details, as well as appropriate wages so that no party is disadvantaged. This agreement will close disputes, close the doors of Satan's entry, and prevent cheating and fraud.

So, an employer must not take advantage of his workers' poverty. The importance of an agreement and determining wages was exemplified by Rasulullah SAW when he grazed goats for the people of Mecca for a few qirath.

 

Seven, it is not permissible to employ someone for haram things

A worker must not accept work that contains the anger of Allah SWT. Employers are also not allowed to employ people for prohibited matters.

An employer should not provide work that burdens his employees to the point where they are unable to bear it, unless the employer helps them. Rasulullah SAW said, "Don't burden them with something they can't afford. If you burden them with something then help." (HR Bukhari-Muslim).

Eight, implement workers' rights

An employer must fulfill previously agreed employee rights, as soon as he completes his duties. Pay workers' wages before their sweat dries. Procrastination includes consuming other people's wealth. There is a time function on an asset, so the value of money is different at different times.

This includes safeguarding the rights of workers who are away (not present). An employer should continue to protect the rights of employees if the employee leaves before his or her rights are fulfilled, whether due to illness, sudden departure, or other reasons. If the worker's wages join the employer's assets and continue to increase in profits when the worker leaves, the employer should hand over the wages and profits. Even if a worker has died, the wages should be handed over to his heirs.

Allah SWT will prosecute on the Day of Resurrection the person who employs another person, that person has perfected his work, but he does not give his wages (hadith narrated by Bukhari).

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