Honorable Muslims!
We all pursue diverse careers and responsibilities throughout our lives. Some of us serve in superordinate positions, while some of us in subordinate positions; some of us are employees, while some of us are employers. Our value in the sight of Allah (swt) is not determined by our profession or position. Our value lies in our faith and worship. Our value lies in our embodiment of good morals with a sense of responsibility.
Dear Believers!
Our Almighty Lord (swt) states in the Holy Qur'an as follows: "He is the One Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds..."[1] As the verse states, one of the good qualities a believer must have is to strive to perform their work to the best of their ability. This is because there is a work ethic that Islam teaches us. Truthfulness, honesty, trust, loyalty, and observation of halal and haram form the core of this morality. At its core, this moral code entails refraining from obtaining what is undeserved, and respecting the rights of both people and the public. This morality's essence lies in strengthening our country across all domains and contributing to our nation's peace, happiness, and prosperity. Its essence involves using knowledge, science, and technology for the betterment of humanity, upholding justice and goodness, and preventing oppression and evil.
Dear Muslims!
In one of his hadiths, our Prophet (saw) says, "Allah is pleased with your doing your jobs, deeds and tasks well."[2] We should take this hadith as our guide and strive to show due diligence in everything we do. We should strive to earn our livelihood through halal ways. We must hold labor in high esteem. We should consider our work not as a job only, but also as a trust. We should refrain from damaging the goods and materials in our workplace, where we earn our livelihood. We should not misuse the facilities of the workplace for personal interests.
Dear Believers!
Islam, our sublime religion, emphasizes ethical conduct not just for employees, but also for employers. Our beloved Prophet (saw) says, "Pay the worker his wages before his sweat dries."[3] If we are employers, we should adopt this hadith as our motto, and ensure to pay employees their wages in full and on time. We should ensure that employees are not deprived of social security. We should prioritize occupational safety and treat the health of our employees' health as important as our own. We should refrain from any attitude or behavior that could jeopardize the well-being of employees. We should provide employees with opportunities to rest and perform their worship.
Dear Muslims!
According to Islam, there is also a moral code for those working in public service positions. Above all, we should acknowledge that the rights of the public are the rights of the entire nation. Regardless of whether we hold superordinate or subordinate positions, it is imperative that we fulfill our duties and responsibilities diligently. We should be loyal to our state and serve our nation with kindness and in a friendly manner. We should uphold justice diligently, remaining steadfast in righteousness, goodness, truth, and integrity. We should never forget the following warning of Allah the Almighty: ÙˆَÙ…َÙ†ْ ÙŠَغْÙ„ُÙ„ْ ÙŠَØ£ْتِ بِÙ…َا غَÙ„َّ ÙŠَÙˆْÙ…َ الْÙ‚ِÙŠٰÙ…َØ©ِۚ "And whoever does so, it will be held against them on the Day of Judgment."[4]
Dear Believers!
There is an eternal afterlife where we will be held accountable for our actions and fully rewarded or punished for them. Let us take accountable steps in our business and professional endeavors. Let us neither deceive nor be deceived. Let us earn and spend in accordance with halal principles. Let us avoid violating human rights and the rights of the public. Let us be careful not to earn our income by haram means. Let us remember that it is also an act of worship to strive and provide for ourselves and our families through halal and lawful means.
I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with the following good news of our Almighty Lord (swt), "As for those who believe and do good, We certainly never deny the reward of those who are best in deeds."[5]
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[1] Mulk, 67/2.
[2] Bayhaqi, Shu'ab al-Iman, 4/334.
[3] Ibn Majah, Ruhun, 4.
[4] Al-i 'Imran, 3/161.
[5] Kahf, 18/30.
General Directorate of Religious Services