Help the Helpers!

Our helpers, whether at home or elsewhere are people who deserve our respect. Although they are doing a job which, to some of us is menial and ordinary but in reality their work is something that requires real hardwork and patience. 

Who can ever wish to clean the trash of others and earn money? These people, most of them, do these jobs because they have no other choice. The good part is that they do not choose to beg.

They often bear the rude attitude of their masters and keep quiet and patient because they know it is something they would face with those who do not have a heart for them.

I feel greatly thankful to have Islam as my religion which teaches us the manners to deal with those who are less fortunate and who serve us in different ways. 

Although we pay them but still they are entitled to much kindness and good treatment from us.

Paying does not make them our slaves and we have no right to abuse, exploit or burden them with more work than they can physically bear.

It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Give the worker his wages before his sweat dries.”

Sunan Ibn Majah Sahih

Most of us do not give much importance to this issue of having a helper and taking care of him or her. We just leave all the work undone for them to do and do not feel the need to be a little more thoughtful in this matter. 

For example, when it is nearly the time for your help to arrive for the work you can keep the things partially ready for them to start off. You can assemble all the dishes and utensils that need to be washed in one place.

You can keep the room ready for vacuum cleaning or mopping by removing things that need to be removed or emptying the floor.

The mop can be soaked in advance so that it gives a better result when it is used.

It is not necessary that, since you are owner of the house and he/she the helper, you can become a couch potato and just leave everything unattended.

More than providing them with a little help physically we need to be kind and considerate too.

Sometimes he or she might not be feeling well or will not do the work upto the mark. We should understand the situation and then react.

Another heart warming narration from the Ahadith of our kind Prophet ﷺ is as follows: 

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:  

(Allah (SWT) says:) “I am the opponent of three on the Day of Resurrection, and if I am someone's opponent I will defeat him: A man who makes promises in My Name, then proves treacherous; a man who sells a free man and consumes his price; and a man who hires a worker, makes use to him, then does not give him his wages.” Sunan Ibn Majah Sahih  

The poor people are deprived of so many necessities in their lives. Those of them who choose to work hard instead of begging are worthy of our respect. They are rewarded for all the hardships that they bore in this world by the Almighty as we come of know by a narration:

Narrated `Imran:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I looked at Paradise and saw that the majority of its residents were the poor;.... Sahih al Bukhari 5198 

 Even the words of the most High, the Almighty God mention the poor and the needy at so many places in the Quran. Infact, they have been given special mention whenever there is the mention of charity. 

[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah , unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.

Surah Al Baqarah 263 

 And last but not the least read this beautiful heart softening Hadith narrated in the most authentic of the books of the traditions of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was indeed sent as a mercy to all of humanity:

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: 

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When your servant brings food for you and you do not seat him with you, you should at least give him a morsel or two out of it because he has prepared it himself."

[Al- Bukhari].

 The least we can do for someone is to pray for them. I know of a person who always prays after her servant completes all the housework and leaves. She prays: "O Allah! have mercy on the person who has done the work for me!"

Hope we help the helpers by spreading a little kindness and happiness in their life!