Labour Day, celebrated annually the world over on 1st May, is a recognition of workers’ contribution towards nation-building and economic development. No doubt, the significant role played by workers in all industries cannot be measured in terms of ringgit and sen. The public holiday on the first day of May is only a small expression of appreciation towards all workers.
In one form or another, each of us is a worker. There are people who work for companies and institutions, either manufacturing products or providing services to others. There are those who work their own businesses, big or small. No matter where we work or who we work for, all of us have a role to play in contributing towards the nation’s well-being.
In Islam, work is considered as an act of worship or ibadah, provided certain criteria are met. More often than not, when the word ibadah is mentioned, most Muslims tend to relate it to rituals such as the daily prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan, giving of alms (zakat) and pilgrimage to Makkah.
No doubt, these are all forms of worship towards the Almighty Creator. These rituals are categorised as specific or obligatory ibadah, in which all Muslims must perform. These acts of worship also make up the pillars of Islam.
The aim of all acts of worship is to appease the Creator. Ibadah is a manifestation of humility by man towards God. This has been mentioned by God in verse 56 of Surah al-Dhariyat in the Holy Quran to the effect that:
“I have only created jinns and men, that they may serve Me”.
In seeking the pleasure of God Almighty, it is imperative that the scope of ibadah be only confined to the specific
ones mentioned earlier. The scope of ibadah should be widened to encompass all things that we do, much like Islam which is a complete way of life that covers all aspects of life.In reality, all things that we carry out can be made into acts of worship. This includes the work that we do or the career that we undertake. Only by expanding the scope of ibadah would Muslims be able to forever being in the state of submission to God Almighty. This would bring benefits to Muslims, both in this world and the hereafter.
As mentioned before, work can be made into an ibadah provided certain criteria are met. The first of these criteria is sincere intention. If we couple our deeds when carrying out our duties with a sincere intention of seeking the pleasure of God, then we are on the right track.
As such, before we start our work, it is encouraged for Muslims to utter “bismillahirrahmanirrahim” which means “in the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful” and that all things that we do are done only with the sole purpose of seeking the pleasure of the Almighty.
The second criterion in making our work as an ibadah is to ensure that whatever tasks that we carry out are in line with Islamic principles. Even if we have the noblest of intentions, such as helping other people, we must ensure that it is done in accordance to the Islamic teaching.
As such, from the Islamic perspective, the Robin Hood approach of “robbing the rich, giving to the poor” is unacceptable. Machiavelli’s “the ends justifies the means” is against the precepts of Islam. It is therefore imperative for Muslims to ensure that the means in carrying out our duties and tasks must also be in line with Islam.
The third criterion in making our work as an ibadah is by observing the akhlak or virtues of Islam when performing our tasks. It is important that we carry out our duties by abiding the adab as set forth by Islam.
It has often been the case, for instance, that the public complain about the lack of manners shown by counter personnel in some public departments. Members of the public often commented that the personnel are unfriendly, brusque and impolite.
These characteristics are very much against the virtues of Islam. Therefore, we should always try and observe the manners (adab) of Islam such as courtesy, politeness, friendliness, helpfulness and the likes when we carry out our duties. Only when this is done, can our work be on the right step towards becoming an act of worship.
The next criterion in making our work as an ibadah is that our work should be beneficial to the society and nation at large. In choosing a career for instance, we must choose a line of work that brings benefit to others. This benefit may be direct such as those in the medical or teaching professions, or indirect such as those in the engineering and manufacturing fields.
Last but not least, the criterion that can make our work as an ibadah is prioritisation. This simply means that we must be able to prioritise when performing our tasks. What should be completed first must be completed before our things.
This criterion also requires Muslims not to neglect the obligatory ibadah as well as time with the family. In other words, it is necessary for Muslims to be able to prioritise at work, prioritise between obligation towards God and obligation towards work, as well as prioritise between time spent at work and time spent with the family.
To do this, Muslims must learn to divide time between work and family as well as individual needs and responsibilities. This requires proper and efficient time management and prioritisation.
If Muslims can meet these five criteria, then Muslims are on the right track in seeking pleasure from God. From the Islamic perspective, everything that we do – from the time that we wake up in the morning to the time we sleep at night, even the sleep itself – can be turned into an act of worship. Needless to say, this includes our work, career and profession.
It is important that we realise the fact that working is not just to earn a living. Every single ounce of energy that we put into our work is proportionate to a huge contribution towards the development of the society and nation.
Therefore, it is our responsibility to carry out our duties and tasks to the best of our capability by giving our utmost best. Labour Day is a day for all workers who have given their level best. It is a day for people who know that they have contributed towards the society and nation. For Muslim workers who endeavour to make what they do for a living as an ibadah, the satisfaction would not only be felt on 1st May, but also on other days of the year.