Some human resources issues from an Islamic perspective

In the Islamic Shari`ah, life systems are integrated in different aspects: Economic, social, political, and other.

There is no doubt that the Qur'an and the Sunnah are the main sources of Muslim legislation, which contain a lot of goodness and contain secrets that have not been discovered yet.

Therefore, the problems of human resources, besides other issues, can be discussed from an Islamic perspective to access useful information that can provide deep thinking for those who would like to establish their administrative notion, especially, in its way in dealing with others in work.

Of the important issues of human resources are:

1- The issue of self-censorship:

Islamic Shari`ah has paid great attention to the concept of self-censorship because the relationship of an individual with others, whether they are colleagues or subordinates, or his relationship with his Creator, is governed in many cases by confidentiality and privacy.

When an employee works for an employer, he should be sincere and fears his Creator first, then he should dedicate himself to his work because he gets salary for it.

Allah Almighty says: "Certainly, Allâh is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things." [Surat An-Nisa ': 86] and He says in Surat An-Najm: "And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad). * And that his deeds will be seen." [Surat An-Najm: 39 - 40].

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed by a cereal seller, then he put his hand in the cereal and found it wet, thereupon he asked: O owner of the cereals, what is this? The man replied: They have become wet due to rain, O Messenger of Allah. He (the Messenger) said: Would you put them above so that people could see its wetness? Then, he added: "It is not one of us: He who cheats us."

Modern management systems focus on behavioral aspects, motivation, team building and participation.

Of the most important methods of assessing the performance of employees is that a worker should evaluate his performance because the points of weakness and power are not known but to the worker himself.

Hence, it was important to focus on developing and training employees for self-censorship.

2- The issue of the diversity of human resources:

If we look at the issue of diversity of employment, we find it one of the issues that were not discussed but short time ago with the emergence of the State and the spread of multinational companies.

However, the observer of the Islamic Shari`ah will find that it dealt with this issue fourteen centuries ago where Islam did not differentiate between people on the basis of race, sex, or tongue, but on the basis of piety, righteous deeds, and pious work in all fields.

When an employer is sincere and dedicate in his work, and when an employer is loyal in work, we shall find ourselves before a high degree of piety.

Allah Almighty says: "O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwâ [ie he is one of the Muttaqûn (the pious)]. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, Well-Acquainted (with all things)." [Surat Al Hujurat: 13].

Islam did not differentiate between men and women except in some legal rights such as inheritance, for instance, because man is charged to spend on the family unlike women, however Islam gave women a high status because they have bright situations in Islam.

Islam has forbidden the believers to make fun of one other, whether they are men or women, and also has forbidden them to boast with their names and lineage.

Allah Almighty says: "O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one's brother after having Faith [i.e., to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: "O sinner", or "O wicked"]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, etc.)." [Surat Al Hujurat: 11].

3- The issue of communications:

As we know, communication is the system which gives vitality, movement, and activity in any organization or society because it depends on the data and information exchange and its dissemination and distribution to various operators, through orders, regulations, workshops, seminars, or other.

We can say that the issue of communication is one of the important issues in Islam, and can infer the importance of communication in Islam from many Ayahs of the Qur'an; of which: "The duty of the Messenger [i.e., Our Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him whom We have sent to you, (O mankind)] is nothing but to convey (the Message). And Allâh knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal." [Surat Al Ma'idah: 99], and His Saying also: "When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allâh is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things." [Surat An-Nisa ': 86].

Moreover, we can infer the importance of communication from the Sunnah. `A'ishah, the Mother of the Believers, (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: "The words of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) were clear and everyone who hears it can understand."

This is true because the Prophet (peace be upon him) was given the most concise expressions.

His speech was brief but contained a lot of meanings such as: "A good word is also a charity," "Say: 'I believe in Allah' and then be steadfast," "Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity."

No doubt that there are many issues that can be included in this issue, particularly the issue of employer's responsibility towards his staff, the issue of cooperation with them, and consultation at decision-making, in addition to other issues which I hope that I have spotlighted in order to give the issue of human resources its Islamic perspective in order to be valid for every time and place because its source is Islam, which is valid for all times and places.