The Urge to Work and to Do Good Deeds in the Holy Quran

It was mentioned in the holy Quran (360) a verse talking about good deeds and another verse talking about “working” (190) including inclusive provisions about it such as a worker appreciation, his punishment, and rewards1. Then, we should mention some verses that urge doing good deeds that leads to getting rewards and forgiveness from God. In addition, we should mention other verses that urge the necessity of making efforts and working to earn livelihood as follows:

1. Doing Good Deeds:
Doing good deeds is the slogan of Islam and its ultimate goal. It is a sign for the greatness of this religion which dedicated justness and spread goodness and amity between people. Doing good deeds is the title of the immortal Islamic mission which was announced by the saver, the ultimate prophet Mohammad (pbuh), who made the act of good deeds its misssion’s core and reality that cannot be separated from it. It is the songs of the righteous, great men, and reformers of the sons of Quran. It is the hearts’ prosperity, intention’s health, self purity, origin of tolerance, and cooperation for doing charity and piousness. It is the indication of excellence between people in Islam’s vision because the excess of money or temporal pleasure is not the indication of excellence, but it is about piousness and doing good deeds, “the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct”. Let’s read the Quranic verses that praised doing good deeds and raised the rank of the righteous. God, glorified, said: “Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, "I am of those who bow in Islam"?”. 2 And said:” As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have, for their entertainment, the Gardens of Paradise”. 3 And said:” Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions”. 4 And said:” But whosoever does good works of righteousness, whether they be a believing male or female, shall enter Paradise, and not be wronged by a pit mark of a date stone”. 5 And said:” But the ones who believe and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. [It is] the promise of Allah, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allah in statement”. 6 And said:” Whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner”. 7 And said:” O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness”. 8 And said:” But to whoever repents, believes and does good deeds, and is at last guided, I am Forgiving”. 9 And said:``Those who do good work will get a great reward”10 . There are many other holy verses that called people for doing good deeds and urged them to work and earn livelihood and compete for getting it because the best of what a person can get in his life will be a supply for his hereafter and an honor in his life.

2. The Urge to Earn Livelihood
The holy Quran announced its affirmed call for the necessity of working, earning livelihood, and making efforts for that. God almighty said:” And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah. and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that you may prosper”.11 The Islamic system is characterized by the equilibrium between working for life’s needs, and working for self purification, and being connected with God glorified, and seeking his acceptance. The holy Quran talks about that saying: "But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief."12 It is not from the characteristics of those who obey Islam to put all his efforts anf energy to seek life’s pleasures, acquire its desires, and moves away from God. This doesn’t mean that you should only work for good deeds, but a man should work for his life and hereafter together. The holy Quran called people and urged them to work, decided upon them to be positive in their lives and be characterized by determination and energy to benefit others and themselves. On the other hand, he didn’t prefer a negative life for them, contraction and withdrawal from work. God glorified said:” It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse ye through its tracts and enjoy the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection”. 13 God glorified created the Earth and filled it with blessings and goodness in order for a man to live with pleasure and comfortability, He, glorified, said:” There is a sign for them in the dead earth: We give it life, producing grain from it for them to eat, And We have placed in it gardens of palm trees and grapevines, and caused springs to gush forth in it, so that they may eat from its fruit, which they had no hand in making. Will they not then give thanks?)14. A man cannot get these blessings unless by working, persistence, and earning livelihood.

Work and a Worker’s Rights in Islam, Al Shaikh Baker Sharif Al Karshi

([1]) Al Islam page 154
([2]) Surah Ha Mim Al Sajda verse 32
([3]) Surah Al Kahef verse 6
([4]) Surah Al Nahel verse 66
([5]) Surah Al Nisa’ verse 23
([6]) Surah Al Nisa’ verse 21
([7]) Surah Al Kahif verse 111
([8]) Surah Al Mo’minoun verse 52
([9]) Surah Taha verse 81
([10]) Surah Al Isra’ verse 8
([11]) Surah Al Joma' verse 10
([12]) Surah Al Kasas verse 76
([13]) Surah Al Molk verse 15
([14]) Surah Ya Sin verse 33, 34, 35