Islam highly extols the value of work and hates laziness. The Prophet advised his people to always pray every morning and evening to avoid laziness. "O Allah, protect me from weakness and laziness." Muhammad said: "Seeking halal sustenance is an obligation for every Muslim."
In
another hadith it is stated: "Trying to seek sustenance after
performing the prayer, one obligation after the obligation to pray."
So high is the position of seeking sustenance. Therefore, Allah reminds us of
the obligation to pray and work in one verse in Surah Al Jumuah. The Prophet
said: "Seeking halal sustenance is like a hero who fights on the
battlefield and whoever falls asleep exhausted from work seeking halal
sustenance, Allah forgives his sins when he falls asleep." On another
occasion Muhammad SAW said: "Seeking halal sustenance is like fighting
in the way of Allah."
Nowadays,
many of us narrow the meaning of jihad. According to Said Aqil Siradj -
lecturer at UIN Jakarta and Chair of PBNU - jihad includes building something
for the good of many people, such as building roads, bridges or hospitals. This
is because Islam aspires to build tamaddun (=civilization) through science,
technology, culture and noble morals.
This
is also why a person who supports widows and the poor is said to be like a
warrior in the way of Allah, and like a person who always performs night
prayers without stopping or like a person who always fasts without breaking the
fast. In another hadith the command is read: meet Allah by being filial to your
parents. If you have done it, it is the same as performing Hajj, Umrah and
Jihad. A hadith narrated by Ahmad states: "Would you like me to tell
you who among you I love the most, and who will sit closest to me on the Day of
Resurrection?" When those present replied in unison that they would,
he said: "Those with the best conduct."
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