Among the beauties of the Prophetic biography (Seerah).
A friend to his workers.
He had workers who relied on him for their sustenance.
Yet he did not treat them with arrogance.
Nor did he intentionally belittle them.
Or subject them to any form of modern-day abuse.
On the contrary,
His heart was choked with mercy,
And filled with compassion.
He forged a bond of friendship and brotherhood with his workers,
Based on love and mercy.
He sought nearness to Allah, the Exalted, through loving them and showing them mercy,
And by not burdening them with hardship.
It is narrated in the Sahih on the authority of al-Ma'rur ibn Suwayd,
Who said:
I met Abu Dharr in al-Rabadhah,
And he was wearing a garment,
And his servant was wearing a similar garment.
I asked him about that,
And he said:
I once insulted a man,
And shamed him for his mother.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to me:
"O Abu Dharr,
Did you shame him for his mother?
Indeed, there is still some ignorance (jahiliyyah) in you.
They are your brothers, your servants.
Allah has placed them under your authority.
So, whoever has his brother under his authority,
Let him feed him from what he eats,
And clothe him from what he wears.
Do not burden them with what overcomes them.
And if you do burden them,
Then assist them."
Be easygoing with your workers,
And shower them with the mercies of companionship and fairness,
And kindness and humility.
Do not make things difficult for them or task them with what they cannot bear.
Provide them with excellent food and clothing.
And make your treatment of them a key to the Gardens of Bliss.
Consider them a form of friendship,
Or brothers you have come to know.
And if they fall short,
Then release them without injustice or threats.
For the merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful.
And whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.
And mercy is only removed from the wretched.
May Allah grant us and you success in righteous deeds, and peace.
Among the beauties of the Prophetic biography (Seerah).