The Islamic state of Madinah, established by the Holy Prophet (SAW), has become a unique example in the history of political thought and administrative development. This state established in Madinah was the best public welfare, justice, development, and labor-friendly democratic state in the history of mankind. The Holy Prophet (SAW) established a state with only three objectives: the full implementation of Islamic ideals, the establishment of Islam’s total victory, and the general welfare of all people, including those who were in labor. The administration of the Madinah Islamic state was a distinct and coherent system. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not only a prophet, but he was also a great social reformer, a messenger, a leader, a guide, an open door of blessings, a warner, a bearer of good news, and a great head of state. He was director of both religious and state organizations. (Dr. Mafizullah Kabir, The Golden Age of Muslim Civilization, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1987, p. 87).
A uniquely important chapter in his career is the establishment of the Islamic welfare state in Madinah. All of the Prophet’s own activities were devoted to the welfare of mankind. Religion, caste, rich, poor, owner-laborer, and regional differences were not observed in it. Universal welfare for all, including the working class, was subsequently pursued as the goal of the Islamic state. Long before the concept of the modern welfare state, this concept of the public welfare of the Holy Prophet (SAW) was a pioneering concept in the history of political thought. He founded an ummah-based state at the beginning of the seventh century by bringing the nomads and desert-dwelling Arabs engaged in tribal strife into the same formula through extraordinary political wisdom, organizational ability, and devotion.
Through this, God’s sovereignty and human equality were established in human society. All signs of shirk originated in the arena of society. Man’s artificial dominion over man was ended. People got a taste of liberation and freedom. He got back all the basic rights to develop as a human being. The rule of law, justice, and good governance were established. Rulers became servants of the people. The state assumed the responsibility of providing security and meeting the basic needs of the people. For the first time, workers and women gained a place of dignity in society. Emancipation of slaves and maids was also done. Riba, or usury, was removed from society, and the public welfare system of Zakat was introduced in its place. The huge disparity between rich and poor narrowed. The Holy Prophet himself became the head of the state of Medina.
He continued to reveal the necessary rules and regulations for the administration of the state through the ahi of Almighty Allah. And the Holy Prophet (SAW) continued to implement those rules through shura, or consultation, and cooperation with his companions. In no time, a beautiful administrative system was established. The injunctions of the Qur’an were mandatory for the Islamic state and administration. If no solution could be found in the Qur’an, the Holy Prophet (SAW) would carry out all the affairs of the state with the advice of the wise and pious companions. It is called Majlise Shura. According to historians, the state of Madinah, founded by the Holy Prophet (SAW), was the first constitutional state in human history and the best welfare state. During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), this state expanded beyond Madinah to cover about 19 lakh square miles of the Arabian Peninsula.
Characteristics of His Majesty’s Labor Administration
- The Holy Prophet (SAW) was able to establish a labor administration in the state of Madinah, which was revealed in the light of the teachings of the Qur’an. The basis of this administration was Tawheed and Rabubiyat, Khilafat and Risalat, and a strong sense of the hereafter and accountability. The feeling of being accountable to Allah prevented all the citizens of the Islamic state of Madinah from all injustice, oppression, discrimination, labor exploitation, and obedience to Allah and made them obedient to Allah’s law.
- The labor administration of the Madinah state, organized on the basis of Tawheed, Risalat, Khilafat, and Akhirat, was aimed at:
* Ensuring the current welfare of all citizens, including working people;
* Establishment of justice and fairness;
* Stopping all avenues of harm, disaster, and oppression;
Ensuring proper fulfillment of the basic needs of people of all levels, including the working people living in the state;
* Ensuring equitable distribution of income and wealth;
*To maintain social stability by achieving balanced economic growth;
* Compassion for God’s creation and creating a clean and healthy environment for all creatures and humans
- The basis of the labor administration of Madinah State was economic and social justice (Adal and Ihsan). It was free from all the injustices, oppression, exploitation, and injustice of the Jahiliyyah era. Adal means justice, insaf, or fair and balanced policy. Aadal consists of two distinct truths. (1) To establish balance and harmony in the provision of human rights. (2) To give everyone their due rights. Giving him what is due without any bias is the name of the game. In fact, the model demands balance and harmony. To give every citizen, including working people, his moral, relational, economic, legal, political, and social rights with full faith. Another meaning of justice is the elimination of and vigorous resistance to injustice and oppression. Violation of Islamic Shariah leads to tyranny. If there is no timely prevention and elimination of oppression, the weak and poor people, working hard, are cheated, oppressed, deprived, and affected. That is why the establishment of Adal and Isnaf was adopted as one of the basic principles in the labor administration of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Prompt and proper application of the law in the interest of Adal, or justice, was ensured in Madinah State.
At the same time, Ihsan, or benevolence, philanthropy, and a sense of duty more than responsibility were considered important in the labor administration of Madinah State. Ihsan also means good behavior, kind behavior, giving others more than their due, paying extra wages for extra work, giving business dividends to laborers, benevolent behavior, showing forgiveness and grace, and being content with less than one’s due. Ihsaan is more than an example. No society can stand only on the principle of adaal, where all the members of the society always determine and realize their own rights and determine the extent of the rights of others, and with that alone, there will be no conflict in such a society, but in that society as a whole. Love remains devoid of the noblest qualities of love, gratitude, magnanimity, generosity, sacrifice, devotion, and seeking the welfare of others. However, these virtues, i.e., Ihsan, are the elements of creating liveliness and sweetness in individual life and developing beauty and harmony in social life, regardless of owner-employee. The state of Madinah took it as a duty to implement the order of social justice and activities that Allah has given for the hardworking people with Ihsan. The labor administration of the state of Madinah was closely monitored to ensure that justice and fairness were maintained and that there could be no oppression.
- The goal of the Madinah state labor administration was the full utilization of resources. Full and efficient utilization of all material and human resources was ensured in the Madinah state. In this state, everyone was a worker. The Holy Prophet (SAW) made efficient allocation and use of limited resources by utilizing all human resources on a priority basis to achieve the goal of human welfare. In the labor policy of the Madinah state, welfare was considered to lie in both the acquisition and sacrifice of wealth and services. The use and consumption of wealth are not only for worldly benefit. Through its proper use, afterlife welfare should also be ensured. The Qur’an says that to arrange a peaceful refuge in the Hereafter through the proper use of wealth, think about building the house of the Hereafter with the wealth that Allah has given you, but do not forget to take your share from this world as well. (Surah 28 Al-Qasas: Verse 77)
- One of the aims of the Madinah state labor administration was to meet the economic needs of the laboring deprived and to establish their proper human dignity. State rights over individual property were established in Madinah State. Others also have rights to legitimately acquired wealth. Specifically, it is the religious duty of every prosperous citizen to extend a hand of help and sympathy to relatives, toiling laborers, and those who are unfortunate in society. According to the teachings of the Quran, the citizens who had surplus money in their hands after fulfilling their necessary expenses would compulsorily spend it for the purpose of meeting the minimum needs of the poor workers, relatives, neighbors, and the helpless, deprived, and unfortunate citizens of society. The Qur’anic instructions to fulfill the needs and welfare of the poor and needy laborers of society were implemented in the labor administration of Madinah State.
- Everyone had the freedom to choose a profession and a means of subsistence under the labor policies established by the Madinah state labor administration. In other words, there was complete freedom to earn a living. Allah’s pleasure can be achieved only by finding out the infinite wealth that is scattered in this world and using it properly. All citizens and laborers of the Madinah state, irrespective of Muslim or non-Muslim, were freely engaged in trade, agriculture, handicrafts, animal husbandry, and economic activities and occupations. The production process was carried out independently. The companies themselves participated in the production activities and hired laborers as needed. History has examples of many companies working and donating labor for wages. The Holy Prophet (SAW) has given strict instructions to be careful in determining the fair wages of the workers and paying them on time, so that no moral pollution or dissatisfaction is created over it. In this regard, he asked to follow a fair policy. It is the prime duty of every employer to ensure that a worker can easily get fair wages on time. Because if the worker does not get the right wages at the end of his work, he will suffer, lament, and despair. The worker was then mentally broken. His motivation decreases. He became disoriented about supporting the family. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, Inform the worker about the amount of wages at the time of employment. (Kanjul Ummal, Ha-9126). No worker shall be employed without fixing wages. (Sahih al-Bukhari). Pay the worker’s wages before his sweat dries. (Ibn Majah) Allah will not accept the worship of a person who oppresses a worker in payment of wages (Amali as Sadub, Ha-707).
The worker should receive additional compensation for the extra work they performed. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, If you impose more work on them, then help them by giving them extra wages.
The worker has to pay the dividends of business and industrial production. The worker must also have a share in the owner’s dividend. This is the principle of justice. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, Give the laborers a share of the produce of their labor. Because Allah’s labor cannot be deprived of anything. (Musnad Ahmad)
Workers must be compensated. The laborer has to take considerable risks while working. He gives labor and sweat. His whole body, mind, and spirit are devoted exclusively to the work of the owner. The intelligence of the head, the hearing of the ears, the sight of the eyes, the strength of the arms, the gait of the feet, etc., work simultaneously. As a result, any part of the body is at risk of injury at any time while working. So if there is any physical injury, the worker has the right to get medical benefits from the employer. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said the damage should be prevented and compensated as much as possible. (Ahkamul Amal Wahkukul Ammal, p. 26)
The overall behavior of the owner towards the workers will be compassionate and kind. The owner will be truly labor-friendly. Workers can make mistakes while working. Mistakes can be intentional as well as unintentional. Every unintentional mistake can be forgiven. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said that forgiving the sins of the laborer many times is a sign of greatness. Along with the owner, the laborer also has a lot of responsibility. The worker shall be responsible and faithful to the employer according to the demands of conscience. He will consider the responsibility assigned to him as worship for the purpose of obtaining Halal sustenance. The worker will appear at the workplace at the scheduled time. Work diligently and relentlessly. The laborer will keep a sharp eye so that the work is not damaged or the property of the owner is not damaged. In this regard, the Holy Prophet (SAW) said that each of you is responsible, and each of you will be asked about your own responsibility. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim)
The development and prosperity of industries, businesses, offices, etc. lie in the good relationships between owners, workers, officials, and employees. The owner will be human. In all situations of anger and satisfaction, he will be steadfast about justice. His speech will be a reminder of Allah. Allah dislikes the hand of the oppressor. Discrimination, double standards, and hypocrisy must be avoided. The physical and social safety of workers must be ensured at the workplace.
The workers will also keep a watchful eye on the interests of the owner. Do not be absent from work without permission. Workers will work with devotion, concentration, and accuracy. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, When one of you does any work, he does it perfectly and flawlessly; this is what Allah loves. (Bayhaqi).
The Holy Prophet (SAW) has always taught that an unrivaled, generous, transparent, humane, just, and fearless labor-owner relationship and attitude can produce a true, glorious, and prosperous working environment.
One is impressed by the tenacity and dynamism of Madinah State’s labor administration after the Holy Prophet (SAW) introduced it. In fact, Islamic labor policy and labor administration are fully suitable for implementation in the modern era.
Author: Economic analyst and banker
