The Islamic standard of excellence in work and life

Source: http://seekersguidance.org/

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani shares seven principles for making our work an act of worship. These are seven principles understood clearly from the Qur’an and Prophetic Sunna:

1. Purpose

Make your life, career, and work truly a means to seek Allah Himself.

2. Seeking benefit

Seek Allah in work by seeking true benefit: for yourself and others, both worldly and spiritual benefit.

3. Excellence in work

Strive to work in the best of ways, as excellence is beloved to Allah.

4. Upholding Being True and Trustworthy

These are two qualities central to what it means to be a believer. It isn’t an accident that these are two qualities that the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him & his folk) was known by even before Revelation: the True (al-Sadiq) and Trustworthy (al-Amin).

5. Upholding Sincere Concern

Seek the good for others, as you seek it for yourself: “None of you believes until they wish for others the good that they wish for themselves,” said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). And religion itself was defined by the Blessed Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as being sincere concern: “Religion is sincere concern (nasiha).” This sincere concern applies to one’s employers, fellow workers, one’s customers or clients, and for all God’s creation.

6. Upholding Excellence of Character

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Deal with people on the basis of good character.”

7. Knowing and Upholding Limits, through sound contracts

Without observing the Limits of Law in one’s dealings, one will invariably fall into wrong and wrongdoing; harmed relationships; and grave sin. “The Lawful is clear and the Unlawful is clear,” said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Learn the limits of the Law related to your work. Learn about how to have sound and virtuous contracts and dealings. And uphold your commitments with excellence and steadfastness.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani closes this important lesson by mentioning some of the keys to succeeding in upholding these principles.

Listen to the full audio here.