Sharia Status of Child Labor

Abstract

Islam is a complete code of life. It provides us with dynamic rules and regulations to lead a perfect, prosperous ideal life. The social system of Islam is abided by certain rules and rights for each and every individual of an Islamic society. Children are the most delicate and sensitive members of any society and are to be dealt with empathy and love. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says “Those are not among us who don’t show mercy on younger and respect their elders”. But, unfortunately we as Pakistani Muslims don’t implement such injunctions. Child labor is one of the biggest socio-economic problems of under developed & some developing countries like Pakistan. Some vital initiatives are to be taken to eradicate this problem as it’s been dealt with many times but those efforts were not fruitful completely. The aim of this paper is to discuss child labor in terms of forceful work that kids are obliged to do which affect their basic education & health rights. I have discussed this issue from an Islamic perspective highlighting the different views of our respected Islamic scholar and followed it by a critical analysis of some of the views.