"UNEMPLOYMENT AND ISLAM: BRINGING UP HOPE AND FINDING SOLUTIONS"

 

Today the whole world is facing the problem of unemployment including the believers of Islam, the reasons behind it can be more than one and genuine but Islam has good guidance to individuals facing this difficult situation. In this blog post, I will delve into the Islamic principles, teachings, and real-life solutions that can be useful for individuals, to navigate unemployment with constant hope for productive and valuable opportunities.

Islamic Perspectives on Unemployment and Work

Islam places a high value on work and views it as a way for people to perform their obligations, find nourishment, and give back to society. The value of employment is emphasized in Islamic teachings, and people are urged to take an active role in their communities. Islam believes that employment is a way to meet one's religious commitments as well as a way to provide for oneself. Muslims can support themselves and their loved ones and perform their obligation to support and maintain their houses by working honestly and within the law. Islam places a strong emphasis on the idea of "Barakah," which is Arabic for blessings and prosperity.

Muslims are urged to consider their labor to be an act of worship when done honestly, morally, and with a feeling of accountability. Muslims can seek Allah's pleasure and experience spiritual fulfillment in everyday life by giving their all in their careers.

Muslims can learn from the Prophet Muhammad's (Peace be upon Him) life. He worked as a trader and then as a leader, exemplifying the value of actively participating in society and making a good contribution to its advancement. Muslims are urged to model their commitment to social welfare, work ethic, and dedication to charity.

Trust in Divine Wisdom

Islam places a great deal of emphasis on the idea of “tawakkul" (dependence on Allah), especially during difficult or unemployed times. It teaches Muslims to seek career possibilities with all possible diligence while putting their faith in Allah's almighty plan. Islam emphasizes that even though people must move proactively to find work, they should find comfort and inner tranquility in knowing that Allah controls all results. Muslims can face the hardships of unemployment with perseverance, optimism, and the conviction that Allah's direction and provision would materialize in due course by fusing earnest effort with unshakeable faith in Allah's wisdom and mercy.

It must be a good sign for you if you are continuously struggling but not getting enough rewards. Allah wants you to raise your strength and stability on success. If you will get everything so easily, it could make you arrogant or overconfident but Allah wants you to be a good Muslim with success, so be patient and remain consistent in a struggle. It is not just bringing you towards success but developing you personally.

Read that blog post for more information and motivation: Why Allah allows poverty, if He is all Powerful?

Maintaining the emotional balance

Numerous emotional difficulties, including anxiety, low self-esteem, and despair, can arise as a result of unemployment. Given the significance of these difficulties, it is essential to carefully address them and look for support from a variety of sources. Islam provides consolation and inspiration through its principles in trying times. Muslims are exhorted to draw courage and resiliency from their faith. In times of difficulty, finding consolation in acts of worship, recital of the Quran, and prayer can be a relief.

 

Islam provides direction and support to help people get through unemployment, which may be a difficult and emotionally taxing situation. People can find hope and strength in trying circumstances by adhering to the Islamic values of trusting in Allah's plan, seeking comfort in worship, and finding consolation in the teachings of the Quran. It is crucial to keep in mind that difficulties are transient and that Allah rewards those who are patient and persistent. Islam encourages the value of community and caring for one another, which also encourages seeking assistance from close companions and mental health experts. Unemployed people can find comfort and determination to overcome their difficulties and restore their confidence by incorporating faith, looking for assistance, and preserving emotional well-being.

 

If Allah is Merciful and not egoistic then why does he says, I will put you in hell if you worship anyone else other than me?

 If Allah is Merciful and not egoistic then why does he says, I will put you in hell if you worship anyone else other than me?  

The largest sin in Islam is worshipping someone else other than Allah, or worshipping Allah as well as someone else. This sin is called "Shirk". شرک

  It is mentioned in Quran, Surah Al-Nisa,

اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَغۡفِرُ اَنۡ یُّشۡرَکَ بِہٖ وَ یَغۡفِرُ  مَا دُوۡنَ ذٰلِکَ لِمَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ۚ وَ مَنۡ یُّشۡرِکۡ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدِ افۡتَرٰۤی  اِثۡمًا عَظِیۡمًا ﴿۴۸

"Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin. (Surah An-Nisa, verse: 48)."

 

It is also mentioned in Surah Luqman, Ayah: 13;

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

"And when Lokman said to his son, in warning: 'My son, associate none with Allah, to associate others with Allah is a tremendous wrong."       

 

So, in Islam, there is No Forgiveness for A MUSHRIK. But Allah is most Merciful and most compassionate. His mercy surrounds everything. In Quran it is mentioned in Surah ul Aeyraaf, verse: 156;

وَ رَحۡمَتِیۡ وَسِعَتۡ کُلَّ شَیۡءٍ

"But My mercy encompasses all things." 

 He loves the person more than anyone else. There is a Hadith that explains the love of Allah for humans.

Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Some prisoners were brought to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and there was a woman among the prisoners who was searching (for her child). When she found her child she embraced him and put him on her breast. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to us, ‘Do you think that this woman would throw her child in the fire?’ We said, ‘No, by Allah, not if she is able not to.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘Allah is more merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.’” 

So, why he will punish the MUSHRIK and will not forgive him at any chance? If he loves the man more than the love of seventy mothers, then how he can give hard punishment to His slaves?  For instance, if your son wants to hurt himself, what will you do? Will you let him do it? Of course not because you know what is better for your son. You will give him instructions to live. You will spend money for his studies. You will set an award for him. All this is because you love him. But when your son will grow up and say not only my father raised me but someone else raised me. What you will do at this time? If you will punish him, you are egoistic and Allah is NOT egoistic, He is far superior to a human, then why he will punish MUSHRIK? مشرک

Answer: Allah does not require you, you require Allah. When a Muslim says Allah u Akber (Allah is the greatest) and if he will not say that Allah is the greatest, Allah’s Greatness will not become less because He will remain always Greatest irrespective you will say it or not. He only wants humans to say that because Allah knows human psychology. For example, if one of your loved ones will have a serious injury. You will find the best specialist for his treatment and if an inexperienced or non specialist person suggests you a doctor and at the same time another experienced and specialist suggests you another doctor. To who’s suggestion, you will take? Answer; The suggestion of specialist because, you know the worth of his experience and believe in him. The same thing requires when you worship Allah and he sets different rewards and punishments for you for your better life. If the first step of belief will be weak in you then how you can be a strong believer and follow the Best religion, Islam? So, just to build a strong belief in human, Allah set the unbearable punishment. It is the single sin that has no forgiveness because it is the basic and most crucial level for Believers. Murder or killing is the Second biggest sin in Islam. Yet, it can be forgiven once a person has turned to Allah in repentance and expiated for it by doing good deeds. So every other sin will be forgiven on some chance but Shirk is not. It is not because Allah is egoistic; it is because He is Merciful and Wise. He knows how to build a strong belief of His presence in Believers and how much it is important to follow Islam and for true success of human.

 In the world, every man has a different way of working. Some need logic, some need a reason, some need reward and some need punishment to be straight on the right path. It is the way of getting rules or understanding the regulations of all humans. Some people when hearing about the punishment get fear and stop themselves to perform sin.