Work and labor have a high status in our Quranic and Islamic literature. Of course, labor is not limited to working in factories, on farms or other such sectors. However, the scope of righteous deeds, which have been stressed so much in the Holy Quran, includes this aspect of labor as well. That is to say, it is a righteous deed when you do something which is accompanied by conscientiousness, sense of responsibility, diligence, and innovation and which is in line with financially supporting a family. "Except for believers and those who do righteous deeds" [Quranic verse]. The scope of righteous deeds also includes these aspects. What else could one desire? What else is better than being busy doing something out of which one makes a living? At the same time, what they do constitutes a righteous deed, which has been placed next to faith in Quranic verses: "Believers and those who do righteous deeds." That is what we mean when we talk about the value of labor.
It is not idle talk or a ceremonial act when the officials of an Islamic community express their appreciation and praise for labor and laborers. It is a fact that there are some people in the world who may pay lip service to laborers. But there is a difference between a person who shouts a slogan in order to drum up the support of a social class and the person who genuinely considers labor - that is, labor as a righteous deed - to be of divine and spiritual value. Islamic thought supports the ideology of the latter person. This means that, according to Islamic thought, laborers are involved in an act of worship. Laborers' work constitutes an act of worship.
In Islam working is regarded as an act of worship. Islam abhors laziness, sloth, and idleness. Working does not necessarily include sitting at a desk. In the country's current situation, we need every type of work. Intellectual activities are a form of work, as are physical and administrative ones. Different activities in different sectors are all forms of work. There are two sides involved here who need to coordinate seriously: at one side there are the people; the youth of our country with different abilities and talents. On the other side, there are the officials and planners. There is a lot to do in the country. During the trips I take to different regions, I follow up on people’s problems meetings with the officials in charge and in direct contact with them. I see that fortunately, there is a huge potential for work and useful employment in the country. There can even be temporary employment created for young students during their summer breaks.
March 21, 2001
