How does the Quran test our work ethics? 3 criteria we should not overlook
Can one speak of faith and ethics while disregarding people's rights at work, evading responsibility, or failing to keep promises? The Holy Quran, emphasizing three principles—responsible effort, trustworthiness, and alignment of words with deeds—offers a clear standard for measuring professional ethics; criteria showing that true religiosity is not confined to worship and slogans, but is also reflected in our decisions, performance, and how we treat others
According to the Missionary Thought and Culture Base, religiosity is not only limited to worship and individual rituals; The work environment is also an arena for measuring honesty, responsibility and justice. Emphasizing the effort to earn a living, paying trust and avoiding the gap between speech and action, the Holy Quran outlines criteria for professional ethics that can be a basis for evaluating individual behavior and organizational performance; The criteria that show the moral validity of people, rather than depending on their claims, are revealed in the way they perform their duties and respect the rights of others.
Religiosity in daily life is not measured only in the solitude of worship. Behind the office desk, when accepting a responsibility, when facing people's rights, and when fulfilling promises, the level of people's adherence to religious and moral values can be evaluated. The workplace is a place where human beliefs go beyond the level of speech and are reflected in his behavior and decisions.
By putting together three passages from the Holy Quran, we can draw a framework for work ethics; A framework based on responsible efforts, trustworthiness and coordination of words with actions. These three principles put three basic questions in front of every person: How much have we tried to do our duty properly? How have we behaved with the possibilities, powers and rights that have been given to us? And what is the relationship between what we promise and what we actually do?
Accordingly, work ethic is not limited to increasing productivity or working more; Performing duties correctly, respecting the rights of others and being accountable for performance is also an integral part of it.
1. responsible effort; One day on the path of effort
"He is the One who made the earth for you humble, so walk in its steps and sleep from its sustenance and to Him is the revelation" (Malik: 15)
In this verse, the reminder of God's blessings is accompanied by a call to movement and effort. The earth is provided for human life and exploitation, but the use of its capacities is linked to the commandment of Famshuwa. This arrangement emphasizes the necessity of knowing the possibilities, action and effort to benefit from the blessings.
However, the end of the verse with the phrase "Waliyeh Al-Nushur" opens another horizon for man. Trying to earn a living is in a framework that also includes responsibility and accountability. Therefore, the issue is not only the amount of income or the economic result of the work; How to achieve that result and the consequences of one's behavior for others are also important.
From this point of view, work ethic distinguishes between two incorrect approaches: first, passivity and substituting waiting for effort; Second, utilitarianism that allows any means to achieve the result. Responsible effort does not mean giving up effort, nor does it justify ignoring the rights of others.
Of course, emphasizing effort should not lead to judging people based on their income or economic status. Illness, deprivation and lack of equal opportunities can limit the possibility of activity and earning. Responsibility here means effort according to people's abilities and conditions, not measuring their human value based on material achievements.
In a narration of Imam Sadiq (a.s.), the effort to provide for the life of the family has a valuable place: A person who works hard to support his family is like a mujahid in the way of God. (Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 88)
This narrative takes work beyond a purely economic activity and gives it a human and moral dimension. A person who works responsibly to meet the needs of his family is not only looking for money; He has also made a commitment and is trying to fulfill it.
2. trustworthiness; Authority and responsibility are not personal property
"Indeed, Allah commands you to entrust the trusts to its people, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice" (An-Nisa': 58)
Trust has a broader meaning than keeping an object or returning money. In the work environment, responsibility, authority, budget, information and decision-making opportunities can be considered as examples of trust. The facilities that are provided to people to perform tasks are not necessarily their personal property, and they cannot be used regardless of the designated purpose or the rights of others.
Based on this, the manager is not the owner of his management position, but he has a responsibility that he must carry out in a specific way and respecting the rights of the people affected by his decisions. Delegating responsibility to unqualified people also becomes a moral issue when the competence and rights of others are sacrificed for personal relationships, friendship or individual interests.
The association of trustworthiness with justice in verse 58 of Surah Nisa has an important point for organizational ethics: individual cleanliness alone is not enough to guarantee healthy performance. The way of distributing facilities, evaluating employees, handing over opportunities and handling people's requests should also be based on justice. A manager may not personally abuse the organization's resources, but his discriminatory decisions still violate the rights of others.
This principle has many examples in today's work environments. An employee who has access to private information, a manager who makes hiring decisions, and an official who reviews people's files are each facing a type of trust. Maintaining the confidentiality of information, observing fairness in employment and fair handling of requests are among the modern applications of this concept in the professional field.
In a narration, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) emphasizes honesty and trustworthiness in order to recognize the trustworthiness of people: "Don't look at the length of a person's bowing and prostration; because he may be used to it and feel uneasy about leaving it; Rather, look at his honesty and trustworthiness." (Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 105)
This statement does not mean to underestimate the importance of worship; Rather, it shows that the appearance of religiosity alone is not enough to evaluate people's moral adherence. Trustworthiness is clearly revealed when a person has the possibility of abusing his position, but avoids it due to adherence to the responsibility and rights of others.
3. practical honesty; The gap between what we say and what we do
"O you who believe, why do you say and do not do?" (Saf: 2 and 3)
These verses are addressed to those who believe; A point that doubles the importance of the question raised in them. Having a religious identity does not exempt a person from being accountable for his behavior. The claim of adherence to a value becomes valid when there is a sign of it in practice.
In the workplace, honesty does not only mean avoiding lying; Coordination of snacks, claims and actual performance is also part of it. An organization that talks about respecting people, but does not give clear answers to their complaints; A manager who introduces meritocracy as the principle of his work, but prefers his close ones over others; or a person who makes a promise without being sure of the ability and possibility of implementation, they all face the problem of the gap between speech and action.
This issue is also important in the media and public communication space. Sometimes it is easier to create a moral image of yourself than to actually adhere to morality. A person may write about fairness, but not be fair in dealing with his colleague; Talk about responsibility, but when mistakes occur, make the responsibility towards others. In such a situation, instead of being a guide to behavior, moral values become a tool for gaining trust and validation.
Of course, every fulfilled promise does not necessarily mean deception. Sometimes conditions change or a person makes a mistake in estimating his abilities and possibilities. What is important is how to deal with this situation: does the person explain the limitations, admit his mistake and take action to make up for it, or does he continue to present a picture of his performance that is not consistent with reality?
Practical honesty requires that others do not make decisions based on claims that have no factual basis. Accepting limitations, clearly explaining obstacles and responding to promises are part of the moral responsibility of people in the workplace.
4. three aspects of work ethics; Effort, trustworthiness and honesty side by side
Responsible effort, trustworthiness, and harmony of speech with action are not three independent and unrelated principles; Each forms part of professional ethics and together they provide a more complete picture of responsibility.
Effort brings out the ability and will to do the work. Trustworthiness directs this power in the direction of respecting the rights of others, and practical honesty prevents one's claims and reports from taking the place of one's actual performance.
The lack of any of these principles can make the other two principles less effective. Hard work without trustworthiness may serve self-interest; For example, a person with a lot of activity may use his powers to eliminate competitors or secure the interests of relatives. On the other hand, good moral reputation is not enough without sufficient knowledge, ability and effort to carry out the responsibilities properly. Also, the lack of practical honesty can turn performance reporting and claims of trustworthiness into a cover to hide weaknesses.
To better understand the relationship between these three principles, you can consider an administrative case. The responsible employee must review the case timely and carefully; protect the client's information and rights; And don't make a promise about the time or result of the investigation that you are not sure of its fulfillment.
In such a situation, professional ethics shows itself on three levels: the quality of duty, respect for trust and people's rights, and honesty in informing and responding. This is the point where moral values depart from general slogans and find meaning in everyday behavior.
Based on this, the ethical administration is not just an institution where religious signs or slogans can be seen; Rather, it is an environment where people can trust the accuracy of doing things, the soundness of decisions and the validity of the promises of its officials.
5. From the altar to the work table; Where religiosity becomes action
The three criteria of effort, trustworthiness and practical honesty remind us that religion cannot be separated from professional life. Talking about the right and justice in worship is compatible with daily behavior when the same values are followed in making decisions and dealing with people. Accepting responsibility will not have a complete meaning without accepting the effort, commitment and accountability.
Work ethic begins with simple but decisive questions: Did I do the job I accepted correctly? Have I used my powers for personal gain? Can others trust my promises and statements?
The test of ethical adherence is sometimes revealed not during a prostration, but while a client waits for an answer; Not in the heat of a speech, but in keeping the promise made afterwards; And not in the title and position of a responsibility, but in the right that is preserved or lost when it is performed.
In this view, work is not the only activity for which we receive salaries; It is an opportunity to show our commitment to the responsibilities and rights of others. The right effort, respect for trust and honesty in practice are three criteria that can clarify the relationship between religious beliefs and professional behavior and become a basis for strengthening trust in work and organizational environments.