Employment and Wages
Total Hadiths 31
Authentic Hadith on Employment and Wages in Islam
These authentic hadiths offer valuable guidelines regarding employment and wages in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) highlighted the virtues of work, noting that every prophet, including himself, shepherded sheep for wages. When hiring, the Prophet (ﷺ) advised against employing individuals who aggressively seek out authority or jobs for self-interest. Trust, skill, and honesty remain paramount; the Prophet (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr safely hired a skilled pagan guide based on his expertise. Furthermore, working honestly brings great spiritual rewards, as a trustworthy treasurer who fulfills their duty willingly is rewarded alongside the charitable owner. According to Islamic scholars, these narrations establish that competence, honesty, and mutual trust form the foundational pillars of proper employment.
حَدَّثَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ مُوسَى، حَدَّثَنَا سَلَمَةُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحُرَقِيُّ، عَنِ ابْنِ مَاجِدَةَ السَّهْمِيِّ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ .
A similar tradition has also been transmitted by Abu Majidah al-Sahmi from 'Umar b. al-Khattab through a different chain of narrators.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 3431In-book reference : Book 24, Hadith 16English translation : Book 23, Hadith 3424
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمَكِّيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ يَحْيَى، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيًّا إِلاَّ رَعَى الْغَنَمَ ". فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُهُ وَأَنْتَ فَقَالَ " نَعَمْ كُنْتُ أَرْعَاهَا عَلَى قَرَارِيطَ لأَهْلِ مَكَّةَ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah did not send any prophet but shepherded sheep." His companions asked him, "Did you do the same?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Yes, I used to shepherd the sheep of the people of Mecca for some Qirats."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2262In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 3USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 36, Hadith 463
حَدَّثَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ سُلَيْمٍ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ثَلاَثَةٌ أَنَا خَصْمُهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى بِي ثُمَّ غَدَرَ، وَرَجُلٌ بَاعَ حُرًّا فَأَكَلَ ثَمَنَهُ، وَرَجُلٌ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيرًا فَاسْتَوْفَى مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُعْطِهِ أَجْرَهُ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'I will be an opponent to three types of people on the Day of Resurrection: -1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but proves treacherous; -2. One who sells a free person and eats his price; and -3. One who employs a laborer and takes full work from him but does not pay him for his lab our.' "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2270In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 10USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 36, Hadith 470
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ احْتَجَمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَأَعْطَى الْحَجَّامَ أَجْرَهُ.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
When the Prophet (ﷺ) was cupped, he paid the man who cupped him his wages.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2278In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 18USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 36, Hadith 478
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ احْتَجَمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَعْطَى الْحَجَّامَ أَجْرَهُ، وَلَوْ عَلِمَ كَرَاهِيَةً لَمْ يُعْطِهِ.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
When the Prophet (ﷺ) was cupped, he paid the man who cupped him his wages. If it had been undesirable he would not have paid him.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2279In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 19USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 36, Hadith 479
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ احْتَجَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَعْطَى الْحَجَّامَ أَجْرَهُ وَلَوْ عَلِمَهُ خَبِيثًا لَمْ يُعْطِهِ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) got him self cupped and gave the cupper his wages. Had he considered it impure, he would not have given it (wage) to him.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 3423In-book reference : Book 24, Hadith 8English translation : Book 23, Hadith 3416
حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَثَلُكُمْ وَمَثَلُ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابَيْنِ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اسْتَأْجَرَ أُجَرَاءَ فَقَالَ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ لِي مِنْ غُدْوَةَ إِلَى نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ عَلَى قِيرَاطٍ فَعَمِلَتِ الْيَهُودُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ لِي مِنْ نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ إِلَى صَلاَةِ الْعَصْرِ عَلَى قِيرَاطٍ فَعَمِلَتِ النَّصَارَى ثُمَّ، قَالَ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ لِي مِنَ الْعَصْرِ إِلَى أَنْ تَغِيبَ الشَّمْسُ عَلَى قِيرَاطَيْنِ فَأَنْتُمْ هُمْ، فَغَضِبَتِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى، فَقَالُوا مَا لَنَا أَكْثَرَ عَمَلاً، وَأَقَلَّ عَطَاءً قَالَ هَلْ نَقَصْتُكُمْ مِنْ حَقِّكُمْ قَالُوا لاَ. قَالَ فَذَلِكَ فَضْلِي أُوتِيهِ مَنْ أَشَاءُ ".
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your example and the example of the people of the two Scriptures (i.e. Jews and Christians) is like the example of a man who employed some laborers and asked them, 'Who will work for me from morning till midday for one Qirat?' The Jews accepted and carried out the work. He then asked, Who will work for me from midday up to the `Asr prayer for one Qirat?' The Christians accepted and fulfilled the work. He then said, 'Who will work for me from the `Asr till sunset for two Qirats?' You, Muslims have accepted the offer.The Jews and the Christians got angry and said, 'Why should we work more and get lesser wages?' (Allah) said, 'Have I withheld part of your right?' They replied in the negative. He said, 'It is My Blessing, I bestow upon whomever I wish.'
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2268In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 8USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 36, Hadith 468
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ وَاسْتَأْجَرَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ رَجُلاً مِنْ بَنِي الدِّيلِ ثُمَّ مِنْ بَنِي عَبْدِ بْنِ عَدِيٍّ هَادِيًا خِرِّيتًا ـ الْخِرِّيتُ الْمَاهِرُ بِالْهِدَايَةِ ـ قَدْ غَمَسَ يَمِينَ حِلْفٍ فِي آلِ الْعَاصِ بْنِ وَائِلٍ، وَهْوَ عَلَى دِينِ كُفَّارِ قُرَيْشٍ، فَأَمِنَاهُ فَدَفَعَا إِلَيْهِ رَاحِلَتَيْهِمَا، وَوَعَدَاهُ غَارَ ثَوْرٍ بَعْدَ ثَلاَثِ لَيَالٍ، فَأَتَاهُمَا بِرَاحِلَتَيْهِمَا، صَبِيحَةَ لَيَالٍ ثَلاَثٍ، فَارْتَحَلاَ، وَانْطَلَقَ مَعَهُمَا عَامِرُ بْنُ فُهَيْرَةَ، وَالدَّلِيلُ الدِّيلِيُّ فَأَخَذَ بِهِمْ أَسْفَلَ مَكَّةَ وَهْوَ طَرِيقُ السَّاحِلِ.
A'isha Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr employed a (pagan) man from the tribe of Bani Ad-Dail and the tribe of Bani 'Abu bin `Adi as a guide. He was an expert guide and he broke the oath contract which he had to abide by with the tribe of Al-`Asi bin Wail and he was on the religion of Quraish pagans.The Prophet (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr had confidence in him and gave him their riding camels and told him to bring them to the Cave of Thaur after three days. So, he brought them their two riding camels after three days and both of them (The Prophet (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr) set out accompanied by 'Amir bin Fuhaira and the Dili guide who guided them below Mecca along the road leading to the sea-shore.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2263In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 4USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 36, Hadith 464
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَأَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ وَاسْتَأْجَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ رَجُلاً مِنْ بَنِي الدِّيلِ، هَادِيًا خِرِّيتًا وَهْوَ عَلَى دِينِ كُفَّارِ قُرَيْشٍ، فَدَفَعَا إِلَيْهِ رَاحِلَتَيْهِمَا، وَوَاعَدَاهُ غَارَ ثَوْرٍ بَعْدَ ثَلاَثِ لَيَالٍ بِرَاحِلَتَيْهِمَا صُبْحَ ثَلاَثٍ.
A'isha Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr hired a man from the tribe of Bani-Ad-Dil as an expert guide who was a pagan (follower of the religion of the pagans of Quraish). The Prophet (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr gave him their two riding camels and took a promise from him to bring their riding camels in the morning of the third day to the Cave of Thaur.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2264In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 5USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 36, Hadith 465
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مِسْعَرٌ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عَامِرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسًا ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَحْتَجِمُ، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ يَظْلِمُ أَحَدًا أَجْرَهُ.
Anas Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to get cupped and would never withhold the wages of any person.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2280In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 20USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 36, Hadith 480
