A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| BrKhalid |
| 10/15/05 at 02:24:20 |
| Why cut work hours during Ramadan By Bassam Za'za' and Shireena Al Nowais, Staff Reporters Dubai/Abu Dhabi It is time to think whether the reduced timings during Ramadan should be changed and people should work normal hours, a number of professionals and Islamic scholars say. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs says working hours for all workers, Muslim and non-Muslim, should be reduced from eight to six during Ramadan. The question has now been raised: with all the UAE's modern amenities, why should working hours be reduced? In the past it could be understood that the hours were reduced because of the intense heat. But that has changed. These professionals also say working hours being reduced for labourers is justified because they have to work in the sun. Some also question why the rule is extended to non-Muslims. Abdul Rahman, an Islamic scholar, says there is no clear text in the Sharia or Holy Quran that says working hours must be reduced during Ramadan. "I am against these reduced working hours. They should remain the same because the person benefits more during the month. His reward is double if he works, fasts and worships God. Working in Ramadan is like jihad. "There are some people who abuse these reduced working hours to rest instead of worship. Hours can be reduced during the last 10 days of Ramadan when Muslims have to stay awake all night for Laylat Al Qadr." Dr Saif Bin Rashid Al Gabiri, Director of Ifta and Research Administration in the Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs and Awqaf, said: "The month of Ramadan is a month of performing rituals, praying and fasting. "However, working is part of worshipping. The Sharia does not force the employer to reduce working hours. There is no clause that says working hours must be reduced. "On the other hand, Muslims must get time to fulfil their religious duties." A UAE national businesswoman said the reduced working hours encourage laziness and idleness. "It takes a person almost two hours to start working during normal days so with the reduced working hours when will they exactly work?" Hatem Al Jinabi, Director of the Labour Relations Department in the Labour Ministry, speculated that the law reducing working hours from eight to six hours was passed to protect construction workers and those working outdoors. Responding to a question on why non-Muslims have to conform to these reduced hours, he said: "This is an Islamic country and the laws of the country apply to all." [url]http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/NationNF.asp?ArticleID=186548[/url] |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| jannah |
| 10/15/05 at 11:53:54 |
| [wlm] ahlan wa sahlan brkhalid.. u've been missing a long time!!! I think working is good too.. at least it makes the day go by faster and gives you something to do. If i was at home all the time I'd just go crazy. Working 8 hours though is tough you don't have time for anything, just go home break fast and head out for taraweeh and get home around midnight and that's our schedule for the whole month! |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| BrKhalid |
| 10/16/05 at 01:20:17 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]Working 8 hours though is tough you don't have time for anything, just go home break fast and head out for taraweeh and get home around midnight and that's our schedule for the whole month![/quote] As ever I think the key to work hours is balance. Everyone knows whether they are working too much and whether it’s affecting the quality of their ibadah [worship] during the month. I’m always amazed more Muslims don’t take some holiday during the month to allow them to concentrate better, especially during the last ten days. Having said that if you took time off you might as well do I’tikaf or go for Umrah…… [quote]ahlan wa sahlan brkhalid.. u've been missing a long time!!![/quote] Not long enough to forget how to do the quote thingie though!! ;-) |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| Marcie |
| 10/16/05 at 16:09:05 |
| [slm] I work at an Islamic school and I definitely feel that we should work less during the month of Ramadan. It is important that we reassess our priorities in Ramadan and take the time to read the Quran and focus on our deen. Many parents don't like the fact that we get out of school an hour early, but I think that it is important that we instill these values in our children. They should learn to put the dunya to the side and focus on their deen. Ramadan is more that just fasting and I want the children to learn this. [wlm] Marcie |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| jannah |
| 10/17/05 at 00:04:41 |
| wlm, good points brkhalid, the only problem is that most of us get 12 days per YEAR maximum vacation. And for some that is part of their sick days as well, so it gets difficult. but i would recommend at least taking the last week off of ramadan a year. last year i didn't and it was really difficult. this year what keeps me going is that i can't wait till that last week!! |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| bhaloo |
| 10/17/05 at 00:12:06 |
| [slm] I can't even get a break on the hours or take time off, I just started last week, and they are pressuring me to get the project done. :( And then furthermore I work 55 miles away. It amazed me how tiny the masjid is out there for such a large community. I've been spoiled with the number of masjids out in my area, and now going to a new area, it was quite a difference. Good to see you around Br. Khalid. Toodles. ;) |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| BrKhalid |
| 10/23/05 at 03:24:19 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]Ramadan is more that just fasting and I want the children to learn this[/quote] Indeed and fasting is more than just abstaining from food and drink. Having both worked and taken time off during Ramadhan, I would definitely go for holiday option every time. [quote]the only problem is that most of us get 12 days per YEAR maximum vacation[/quote] Crikey! Is this the most industrialized nation on earth we’re talking about? Even in the UK we get 20 days minimum by law. [quote]I can't even get a break on the hours or take time off[/quote] Isn’t it funny that sometimes all your work seems to just pile up during Ramadhan? |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| jaihoon |
| 10/23/05 at 04:37:54 |
| [quote author=jannah link=board=ummah;num=1129353860;start=0#4 date=10/17/05 at 00:04:41]wlm, the only problem is that most of us get 12 days per YEAR maximum vacation. !! [/quote] O my! That's peanuts! How do you ppl live with that! ??? |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| bhaloo |
| 10/23/05 at 09:57:09 |
| [slm] When Jannah put the number of 12 days off per year, I thought that number was a little high, typically it's 10 days off per year. Of course if you're starting someplace new, you have 0 days. |
| Re: Ramadhan working hours |
|---|
| jaihoon |
| 10/24/05 at 02:55:20 |
| [slm] Here in the emirates, it's 30 days per year or more. Funny how labor laws are different in different places. A place like US, with so many rights groups, I expected more rights (benefits) for workers. Maybe it's perception issues. Allah knows best |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |