Rights of servants

 

It has become a fashion to mistreat servants.  The Shariah does not permit mistreatment of a human being.

 

A believer (Momin) should always be mindful of what Allah Ta’ala has ordered.  Especially in the matter of servants, a Momin should fear Allah Ta’ala, as in Qiyamah, one will be asked about his subordinates.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:

 

Translation of Hadith: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Each one of you is a caretaker and is responsible for his (or her) subordinates.  Each will be asked about his (or her) subordinates.  A king is a caretaker, a man is a caretaker of the members of the household, a woman is a caretaker of the house of the husband and his children, so each one of you is a caretaker and will be asked about his (or her) subordinates.  (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 783, Hadith No. 5200)

 

Servants are also human beings

 

Regardless of whether the servant is for house work or for work outside the house, the person who gives the wages for work is not the owner of the servant and can only take that particular work from the servant.  Servants are in reality a means of comfort and relief for those who pay them and help them in their responsibilities. 

 

As per the Shariah, it is compulsory that they should be treated nicely.  They should not be disturbed in their hours of worship and should not be mistreated or insulted.  They should not be taxed beyond their work capacity.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 359. 

 

They also are our brothers

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has strictly emphasized nice treatment of slaves and slave girls who can actually be owned by human beings.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:

 

Translation of Hadith: Your slaves are your brothers.  Allah Ta’ala has put them under your command, so whoever’s brother is under his command, he should feed him from what he eats and should clothe him from what he wears and you should not tax them beyond their capacity.  If you do so, then help them.  (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 9, Hadith No. 30)