Hezbut Tawheed in Defense of Workers' Rights

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Ideology
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Jul 18, 2025
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“May 1st” is observed globally as International Workers’ Day. Every year, people across the world commemorate this day to promote and protect the rights of working-class people.
 
On this day, national and international figures and organizations highlight the problems and demands of workers and call for the protection of their rights. Disadvantaged laborers march in rallies with placards and festoons in major cities to demand their rightful dues.
 
Particularly, leftist organizations are noticeably vocal in this regard. These awareness campaigns and efforts to defend workers’ rights are commendable—but unfortunately, they are often limited to this single day. For the rest of the year, few stand beside the laboring class.
 
Yet, from the dawn of human civilization, it is on the backs of these very laborers that society has developed—cities, ports, and civilization have risen because of them. People have progressed, destinies have changed, but the fate of these hardworking people has not.
 
In 1886, laborers had to give their lives in Chicago to fight for their rights. Shockingly, even in the 21st century, they still must struggle for what is rightfully theirs.
 
Over the past 150 years, humanity has reached the pinnacle of material progress, but has spiritually deteriorated. As a result, the working class still suffers under ruthless exploitation, more oppressed, deprived, and persecuted than ever.
 
Fourteen hundred years ago, the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) established a noble Islamic way of life in the Arabian Peninsula. In his society, there was no discrimination between the strong and the weak, or the elite and the commoners.
 
The relationship between employers and workers was like that of brothers. Justice and fairness were so deeply rooted that even the Caliph could be questioned in public and had to be accountable. In such a society built on fairness, workers could never be denied their wages or rights. They were united under a common ideology and brotherhood.
In his Farewell Sermon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Your laborers are your brothers. Allah has placed them under your care. So, feed them what you eat, clothe them with what you wear, and do not burden them beyond their capacity. If you must do so, then help them” (Bukhari 5617). Regarding wages, he emphasized, “Pay the worker before his sweat dries” (Ibn Majah 24430).
 
Tragically, the great values Islam established for the dignity of labor are no longer practiced in the Muslim world. Muslims today have abandoned this just system and instead follow Western ideologies and laws. Since human-made systems can never be perfect or balanced, these adopted models fail to ensure justice and peace.
 
Rejecting Allah’s prescribed way of life, Muslims have fallen behind in all fields—science, economy, and beyond. They face economic crises, invasions, and oppression from imperial powers, but cannot resist.
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In these troubled times, Hezbut Tawheed has emerged as a movement to revive the lost ideals of Islam from 1400 years ago. Under the leadership of its Imam, Hossain Mohammad Selim, Hezbut Tawheed is rapidly advancing this revival. He has brought Islam off the pages of books and into practical life. To witness its real-world manifestation, one must visit Sonaimuri in Noakhali, his hometown.
 
Just five years ago, this village was backward and neglected. Roads were broken, there were no hospitals or good schools, and the youth suffered from unemployment and poverty. Crime, extortion, and gang activity were rampant. But under the guidance of the honorable Imam, a quiet revolution has unfolded.
 
Through the Chashirhat Unnayan Parishad (Farmers’ Market Development Council), over 50 projects have been initiated—modern cattle and dairy farms, feed mills, poultry, and goat farms. Currently, 26 workers are employed in the farms, supporting 104 family members.
 
They also operate a massive fish farming project yielding 75,000 kg of fish in just one year, cultivate paddy and seasonal crops on 60 bighas of land, and run a restaurant using farm produce. A garments factory named “Karorani Fashions” and a food processing unit “Karorani Foods Ltd.” have been set up, alongside 50 small businesses to support small investors.
 
Hundreds of workers, many of them Hezbut Tawheed members, are employed—not treated as subordinates, but as equals. It’s difficult to distinguish owner from worker. After Friday prayers, the Imam inquires about workers’ problems—food, shelter, or healthcare—and resolves them instantly. He eats with them during Ramadan, delivers Eid gifts to their homes, and ensures festival bonuses.
 
To solve housing issues, multiple buildings are being constructed. The Imam has also established Nurul Haque High School to provide both academic and technical education to children. A college is also underway. A mosque for spiritual growth and a clinic for healthcare have been built, with plans for a hospital.
 
Nutritious and chemical-free food is being ensured through fish and vegetable farming. Most importantly, no worker’s wage is ever delayed. Unlike most institutions, here they receive their full payment on time and return home happy. The policy of paying before sweat dries is strictly upheld.
 
Through such revolutionary transformation, Hezbut Tawheed is reshaping Chashirhat Union with the true teachings of Islam.
 
Regarding May Day, the honorable Imam says, “May Day is observed for the liberation of the working class, but we have not seen the actual implementation of global human rights declarations. However, if humanity accepts the divine system and upholds the standards set by Allah as His vicegerents on Earth, then everyone's rights will be protected.
 
No worker will have to bleed on the streets like in Chicago, or demand rights through rallies. In our garments factory, workers labor with joy. Even on Eid, we celebrate together with their families—a unity only possible under Islamic consciousness. There is no divide between owner and worker. We are building this unique example in Chashirhat, Sonaimuri, Noakhali.

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