Economic Injustice

Khatib : Sadullah Khan
Khutbah No: 160
Khutbah Date: 08/05/05

اعطو الاجير اجره قبل ان يجف عرقه“Pay the laborer his wage before his sweat dries.”Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
One of the earliest revelations received by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the injunction [Qur’an 74:2] "arise and warn" (qum-fa andhir). The word “andhir” has been interpreted by scholars as ‘commanding right and forbidding wrong’. Ibn 'Arabi said: "Commanding right and forbidding wrong is the essence of Islamic practices" Commanding what is right and forbidding what is wrong provides a mechanism whereby we can fight off various social, moral and spiritual ills so that we may build and maintain a healthy and dynamic life.Justice is paramount in Islam A major mission of all Prophets (peace be upon them) was the "establishment of justice among people" [Q 57:25]. Allah inspired the Prophet with the saying ..."O my worshippers! I have made injustice unlawful for myself, and have forbidden injustice among you, so do not be unjust." We are reminded, "Allah certainly commands justice and goodness in everything" [Q 16:90]Islam & Economic JusticeHuman behavior, is categorized into three types of relationships: social / IJTIMA’I, economic / IQTISADI and religious / DEENI.4 Key Aspects of an Islamic Economic System
  1. Need Fulfillment.
  2. Respectable source of earning.
  3. Equitable distribution of income and wealth.
  4. Growth and stability.

Shameful Abuse of WorkersThe United States of America was founded on the basis of a "classless society of equals," committed to eliminating the past injustices imposed on us by Great Britain. Today, however, there does exist perceptible classes in this country, and, because of differences in material wealth, Americans have unequal opportunities in politics, education, health care, justice, security, and overall happiness. The distinct class structure of current-day America is the greatest cause of inequality in the United States today. For example, Wal-Mart is the world's largest company in sales with revenues of over $246 billion. Yet, Wal-Mart employees do not earn a livable wage and are routinely subject to unjust labor practices. When world’s largest and wealthiest corporation; with 1.2 million workers in US alone; tolerates its employees living in poverty, something is drastically wrong; and silence on our part upon witnessing such injustice is morally a crime. When Wal-Mart’s heirs are among America’s richest and its workers are among the poorest, there is something drastically wrong. When the Waltons amass $ 100 billion in 12 years, yet those who serve them are unable to support themselves and their families, something is terribly wrong.A just society can be created by establishing just institutions and just social and economic practices. The failure of social justice, on the other hand, is a disease that affects not only those in poverty, but all of us.

 

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