A Muslim must be serious in working by using all his physical abilities, mind and heart. This is to actualize himself as a caliph who must lead the world. The promise of being the best people is not created by itself, but must be achieved, pursued and strived for. The earth was created as a place to toil, while humans are the ones who work on it. "He has created you from the earth (soil) and made you prosperous" (Surah Huud: 61).
In
essence, only by working can humans humanize themselves. In Surah An
Najm: 39 it is stated that the success and progress of humans on this earth
depends on their efforts. The harder he works the more he earns.
Working
hard in Islam is working seriously accompanied by trust in Allah SWT. The work
referred to is work to the point of exhaustion (Al Ghaasyiyah: 3). "Indeed,
Allah Ta'ala is pleased to see his servants struggling (tired) in seeking halal
sustenance." The Prophet prayed: "O Allah! Give blessings to
my people, for the efforts made in the morning." The Prophet's love
for hard work was shown when he "kissed" the hand of Sa'ad bin
Mu'adz, the manual worker. Work for your world as if you live forever and work
for your afterlife as if you die tomorrow.
Muhammad
SAW said: "Allah loves every believer who works for his family and does
not like unemployed believers, either for work in this world or the afterlife.
There are ten forms of worship: nine of them are in seeking a living (work),
and one is in ritual."
Islam
encourages its people to try to find sustenance so that their lives can be good
and enjoyable. The earth, the sea, and the sky exist to be utilized in a lawful
manner. As Allah states in Surah An-Naba (78:10–11): “And We made the night
as a covering, and We made the day for livelihood.” The night is for
resting and gathering strength, while the day is for working and expending that
energy. Aisha narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “The most
delightful things you enjoy are those that come from the work of your own
hands; your children are [sustained] by what you earn.” The Prophet also
said: “Striving to earn a lawful livelihood is an obligation, alongside
other obligatory duties.”
When
asked which form of livelihood was best, the Messenger replied: “A person’s
work with their own hands and every honest trade.” The Messenger further
added: “The trustworthy and truthful merchant will be with the martyrs on
the Day of Judgment (Kiamat).”
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