It is the way of the world that someone is a ruler so someone is a ruled one, someone is a master so someone is a slave, someone is a king so someone is a subject, someone is rich so someone is a beggar. This difference of status does not suggest that the man of high rank should consider the man of low rank or status to be mean and unimportant, but rather the ups and downs of the ranks and positions are only for running [the affairs of] the world and fulfilling human needs. It is the beauty of Islam that it teaches its followers how to become affectionate towards subordinates and ruled ones. It is Islam that gives this concept that being the subordinate or Nigran of someone is a temporary relationship, otherwise, as a human all are equal. Islam urges that we should consider the people who do jobs to be our brothers and give them equal treatment.
Beauty of Islam
Islamic history shows numerous examples in which Nigrans used to be affectionate and kind to their subordinates. Read a shining example of how our Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ would treat his servants:
Sayyiduna Anas رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ has said: I served the Beloved and Blessed Nabi صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ [for 10 years] during journeys and at home, but about the work I did, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ never said, ‘Why did you do this work like this?’ And he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ never said this about what I did not do, ‘Why did you not do this work like this?’ (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 243, Hadees 2768)
Paying wages on time
Paying wages on time to subordinates is their first and the basic right. After the completion of the work, putting off paying their wages, reducing and making an unjustified deduction in their wages by giving lame excuses are dishonesty, injustice and the acts which may destroy the peace of the society. It is stated in a Hadees-e-Qudsi that Allah Almighty has said, ‘There are three such people, on the Judgement Day, I will be their ‘خصم’ (will make them accountable). One of them is the person who hires a labourer, gets complete work from him and does not pay him the wage. (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3, pp. 278, Hadees 8700)
Be gentle
If subordinates make any mistake or cause any loss due to human error, they should be forgiven. According to the situation giving correct warning and rectifying their mistakes are the rights of the owner, but targeting them, speaking rudely to them, insulting them and finding fault with even their little mistakes are the acts which are strongly disliked. It has been narrated that a person humbly asked the Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ , ‘To what extent should we forgive the mistakes of our servants?’ He again asked the same question. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ remained quiet. When he asked the third time, The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ replied, ‘70 times every day.’ (Abu Dawood, vol. 4, pp. 439, Hadees 5164)
Always treat [them] with kindness
Subordinates should always be treated well. We usually treat well the one who holds a high position or we have some vested interests in him, but excellence lies in always treating our servants well. We should take care of their needs, enquire after them in a proper manner and help them in their difficult times as per our financial ability. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said, ‘Treating slaves well is a good fortune and treating them badly [with bad manners] is a misfortune.’ (Abu Dawood, vol. 4, pp. 439, Hadees 5163)
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