Be grateful for the blessings of work

Every morning, millions of people around the world go to work. There are those who drive cars or motorbikes to the office, there are those who squeeze onto buses or KRL trains, there are those who carry goods at the market, and there are also those who sit in front of a computer screen for hours.

But behind all that, there is one fundamental question that we rarely think about: Are we truly grateful for the blessings of work that God has given us?

Work is not just a routine, not just a source of income, and not just a means to survive. In Islam, work is a form of grace, trust, and a path to reward if done with the right intentions and in a halal way.

Working is a blessing and trust from God ‘Azza wa Jalla

Many people think that jobs come because of intelligence, higher education, extensive connections or many relationships. In fact, in reality all of that is just a cause, while the one who gives the work is God. Not a few people have high academic degrees but are still unemployed, and quite a few people without higher education are actually provided with sufficient sustenance.

Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla said,

Whatever blessings you get, come from God

“And whatever blessings you have, they come from Allah.” (QS. an-Naḥl : 53)

Work, no matter how small, is part of the sustenance that Allah guarantees. Therefore, people who still have a job, even if it is simple, even if it is not what they want, should be very grateful. Because out there, many people are struggling hard to find work, applying to various places, but haven’t gotten the chance. Some have been unemployed for a long time, some have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and some are forced to support their families without a steady income.

Imagine someone who leaves the house every day carrying a folder of job applications, dressed neatly, praying to be accepted, but always comes home rejected. Then compare it with ourselves who still have a job, a place to fight, and an income to survive. Isn’t that a great blessing that must be grateful for?

Gratitude is a way to increase the blessings of sustenance

Gratitude is not just a word “Give thanks” on the lips, but rather a sense of awareness that every fortune is a gift from Allah, accompanied by efforts to protect it with good deeds.

Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla said,

If you are grateful, I will surely improve you. And if you disbelieve, My punishment will be truly severe.

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase (your blessings). But if you disbelieve, My punishment will be very painful.” (QS. Ibrahim: 7)

So, the form of gratitude for work is not only thanks to Allah, but also by working seriously, honestly and trustfully. People who work with a spirit of worship will feel inner peace, even though their salary may not be much.

Work as a form of worship

Islam does not separate the affairs of this world and the hereafter. Work, if it is intended to seek Allah’s approval, provide for the family, and protect oneself from begging, then it becomes an act of worship that is rewarded.

Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Actions are based on intentions

“Indeed, every charity depends on the intention.” (Muttafaqun ‘alaihi)

In another hadith, he said,

You will not spend anything to seek the pleasure of God Almighty without getting a reward, even what you put in your wife’s mouth.

“Do not spend anything you intend to seek the face of Allah, unless you will be rewarded, even for the bribe you put into your wife’s mouth.” (HRBukhari)

This means that every sweat that drips from earning a halal living, if it is intended for Allah, will be a reward. A pedicab driver, farmer, teacher, trader, employee, or even a daily laborer, can all become experts in worship in the sight of Allah if they work with sincere intentions and in a halal way.

The Prophets also worked

One proof of the glory of work is the fact that all the Prophets sent by Allah also worked. They not only worship and preach, but also walk the path of life through the efforts of their own hands.

This shows that work is the noble nature of the Prophets and pious people.

Prophet Adam Peace be upon him working as farmers, planting and cultivating the earth.

Prophet Noah Peace be upon him work as a shipwright, as God said,

And make the ark with our eyes and our revelation.

“And build the ship with the supervision and guidance of Our revelation.” (QS. Hud: 37)

Prophet Abraham Peace be upon him once a trader and livestock breeder, lived a life full of honesty.

Prophet Moses Peace be upon him became a shepherd before being appointed as an Apostle. In the Qur’an it is stated,

He said, “I want to marry one of my two daughters to you on the condition that you marry me for eight years.”

“In fact, I intend to marry you to one of my two children on the condition that you work with me for eight years.” (QS. al-Qas: 27)

Prophet David Peace be upon him working as a blacksmith, as mentioned in the word of God,

And We made iron for him

“And We softened the iron for him (David).” (QS. Saba’: 10)

And the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

David used to eat from his own work.

“Indeed, Prophet Dawud ate from the work of his own hands.” (HRBukhari)

Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam before becoming a Messenger, he worked as a shepherd and trader. In a narrative, he said,

Allah does not send a prophet unless he shepherds sheep

“Allah does not send a Prophet unless he has grazed goats.”

When the companions asked, “You too, Rasulullah?”

He answered,

Yes, I used to sponsor it in small amounts for the people of Mecca.

“Yes, I graze it for the people of Makkah for a few qirath.” (HRBukhari)

All this shows that work is glory, not humiliation. Anyone who tries to seek sustenance in a halal way means they are imitating the Prophets.

The danger of forgetting the joys of work

Unfortunately, in modern times, many people complain about the jobs they have. Some people feel bored, fed up and ungrateful. There are also those who view work as a burden, not a mandate. In fact, when someone stops being grateful for their work, Allah can revoke that blessing. Fatigue can turn into torture, colleagues become enemies, and work that was once a blessing can turn into a test.

Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla remind,

And only a few of My servants are grateful

“And very few of My servants are grateful.” (QS. Saba’: 13)

Think about it, my brother! How many people today beg to be accepted for work, while we complain about the work that God has given us?!

Being grateful for work in the modern era

In today’s digital era, jobs are often measured by popularity, big salaries or social prestige. However, Islam teaches a different standard: the noblest is the most beneficial and halal.

Ways to maintain gratitude for work in the present include:

First: Renew the intention to work as worship, “O Allah, I work not just for the world, but to support my family and fulfill Your mandate.”

Second: Maintain honesty and professionalism. Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Honest and faithful traders are with the prophets, honest people, and martyrs.

“Honest and trustworthy traders will be with the Prophets, honest people, and martyrs.” (HR. Tirmidhi, ratified by Sheikh Albani in The lineage of Ash-Sahihah wa Sahih At-Targhib wa At-Tarhib)

Third: Give charity from the results of work. Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

There is no shortage of wealth in charity

“Alms will not reduce wealth.” (HR. Muslim)

Fourth: Tawakal, believing that the final result of our hard work is determined by Allah, not just ability.

And in Allah let those who believe put their trust

“And only in Allah do the believers put their trust.” (QS. Ali ‘Imran: 122)

Fifth: Canaan, namely feeling satisfied with what God gives.

Sixth: Trust and ihsan, namely doing the best job possible.

Allah is pleased if one of you does a job, he does it well.

“Indeed, Allah loves the person who, when he does a job, does it to the best of his ability.” (HR. Abu Ya’la, Ath-Thabrani, and Al-Baihaqi)

Work is a great blessing

My brother, not everyone is given the ability to work. Some are sick, some have lost their jobs, some are still looking.
If today we can still work, we can still earn our fortune with our own hands, that is an extraordinary blessing.

Allah’Azza from Jalla said,

And if you count Allah’s blessings, you will certainly not count them.

“And if you count Allah’s blessings, you will certainly not be able to count them.” (QS. an-Naḥl : 18)

May Allah make us grateful servants, bestow sustenance on us, and give us halal wealth and keep us away from haram wealth.

Also read: How to Make Your Work Pay?

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Jember, 22 Jumadil Ula 1447

Writer: Gazzeta Raka Putra Setyawan

Article Muslimah.or.id