ISLAMIC STUDIES

ASSIGNMENT #03
Current Ethical dilemmas at workplace and their
Solutions in the Light of Islamic Teachings.

SubTopic: Workplace Discrimination

Submitted by:
Nur Kaisser
Syeda Fizza Batool
Ushna Imran
Sufyan
Muhammad Burhan

Registration Numbers:
SP24-BBA-136
SP24-BBA-173
SP24-BBA-187
SP24-BBA-161
SP24-BBA-245

Submitted to:
Ma’am Uzma Naz

DATED: 1-May-2024
 Discrimination At The Workplace
Workplace discrimination is defined as unfair or unequal treatment of
employees based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion,
handicap, sexual orientation, or country origin. It can take many forms,
including hiring and firing decisions, promotions, salary discrepancies, job
assignments, and the overall work climate.

TYPES OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE:

1. GENDER DISCRIMINATION:
Prejudice that stems from a person's gender may entail unequal
compensation, rejection of promotions, or the establishment of a hostile
work environment as a result of gender stereotypes.

2. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION:
Individuals are handled differently or unjustly based on their race,
ethnicity, or color. This may involve discriminatory recruiting practices,
unequal remuneration, or an antagonistic work climate based on race.

3. SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION:

Treating employees unjustly or creating a hostile work atmosphere
because of their sexual orientation. This can include denial of
employment, harassment, or unfair treatment based on sexual orientation.

4. AGE DISCRIMINATION:
Individuals are treated adversely due of their age, which primarily affects
older employees who may encounter job hurdles, layoffs, or reduced
growth possibilities.

5. RELIGION DISCRIMINATION:
When individuals are treated differently due to their religious views or
practices. This can include refusing to provide reasonable
accommodations for religious practices or treating employees in an
insulting or hostile manner because of their faith.

6. DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION:
Discrimination against people with disabilities might include failing to
provide appropriate adjustments, refusing to hire eligible candidates, or
harassing them because of their disability.
HOW TO ADDRESS WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION:

1. EQUALITY WHILE HIRING

Developing equitable and impartial recruiting practices to ensure that
candidates are assessed purely on their abilities and performance.

2. SETTING POLICIES
Establishing and conveying clear workplace policies that encourage
equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion.

3. WORKPLACE TRAINING
Providing training to employees to educate on and address
discrimination issues and how to avoid this and maintain an
appropriate workplace behavious.

4. DIVERSITY PROMOTION
Consistently creating a diverse and inclusive work environment that
appreciates and respects people of all backgrounds.

5. LEGAL PROTECTION
Educating employees on their rights and protection in accordance to
anti discrimination laws and complying with the legislation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Discrimination violates the concept of equal opportunity. Ethically,

every individual should be given an equal opportunity to compete for
jobs, promotions, and other opportunities based on their credentials,
talents, and merits, rather than characteristics such as color, gender,
age, religion, handicap, or any other protected feature
Discrimination at the workplace can be faced by individuals in several
ways. Here are some common ways in which individuals may confront
and address workplace discrimination:

AWARENESS
The first stride is identifying that discrimination is occurring. This
includes understanding what establishes discrimination, being
conscious of one's rights and protected characteristics under the law,
and being able to identify discriminatory actions or practices.

EVIDENCE:
Saving documentation of occurrences linked to discrimination can be
imperative. Recording dates, times, locations, individuals involved,
and details of the prejudiced events can offer evidence if required later
on. This can comprise of saving emails, messages, or any other form
of contact connected to the discriminatory conduct.

REPORTING:
Employees facing discrimination should report the occurrences to
their immediate supervisor, human resources department, or a
designated authority within the organization. Many companies have
policies and procedures in place for reporting discrimination, and
employees should follow the established channels to guarantee their
concerns are heard.

LEGAL ACTION:
In some cases, individuals may choose to pursue legal action if other
measures fail to address the discrimination adequately. Consulting an
employment lawyer can help individuals understand their legal rights,
potential courses of action, and the steps involved in filing a
discrimination complaint or lawsuit.

Businesses should invest in establishing an inclusive and diverse

culture in order to put these ideas into practise there. They could
employ people from various backgrounds, promote cooperation and
teamwork among workers, set up objective systems for performance
evaluation, help with employee training on respect and conflict
resolution, and set up channels for workers to report any instances of
discrimination or harassment.
Islam places a strong emphasis on treating everyone with love and
generosity, regardless of differences. In order to encourage
employees to empathise with one another, to never judge or practise
discrimination, and to constantly accept diversity, firms should create
policies to promote these virtues.
Overall, Islam's doctrine offers a wide range of suggestions for
achieving justice and equality in society. And while putting such
instruction into practise could be challenging, accepting it might
result in a stronger and more morally upright working culture.
“All humans are descended from Adam and Eve,” said Muhammad in
his last known public speech. “There is no superiority of an Arab over
a non-Arab, or of a non-Arab over an Arab, and no superiority of a
white person over a black person or of a black person over a white
person, except on the basis of personal piety and righteousness.”

HOW ISLAM DEALS WITH DISCRIMINATION:

Islam is of the view that all humans are equal, and it does not allow
discrimination based on sex, race, origin, religion, and so on. The
Quran says, “O mankind! We created you from the same male and
female” (04:01, 49:13). It also says the measure of nobility is only
taqwa, that is, doing the right deeds and fearing Allah (49:13).
Otherwise, all are equal. We find similar thinking in hadith where it is
said that “No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a
non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man
have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any
superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam (AS),
and Adam (AS) was created from clay”.[1]

The Quran says that women have the right to work, and they cannot be
denied this right: “For men, there is a reward for what they have
earned (and likewise) for women there is a reward for what they have
earned” (04:32).

[1] Quran does not allow discrimination based on sex, race,

nationality, religion, and more. It declares equality of all humans by
stating “O mankind! We created you from the same male and
female”. (49:13)
One can and should rise above the other, only based on the quality of
their work without any discrimination. Furthermore, Islam prohibits
discrimination at work.

Allah’s Messenger ( ‫ )ﷺ‬stated, “You are not better than people with
red or with black skins unless you excel them in piety”. (Mishkat al
Masabih: 5198; Musnad Ahmad: 20442)

Every employer has the responsibility to provide their workers with

equal wages for equal work (and work of equal value) and efficiency
wages where they are earned. The Quran also gives another guideline
about the best workers. They are those who believe in the
organizational culture (in line with the religious commandments) and
do their work diligently.

“Indeed, those who believe and keep doing pious actions, it is they
who are the best of the creation”. (98:07)

Quran refers to equal opportunity of jobs including employment quota

for minorities irrespective of their religion. This also includes the job,
training, and internship opportunities for foreigners. Similarly, the
Quranic verse 04:58 mentions:

“Surely, Allah commands you to render the trusts to those who are
worthy of them; and when you rule over people, rule with justice (or:
and when you judge matters amongst people, give judgment with
justice). What excellent advice Allah gives you! Surely, Allah is All-
Hearing, All-Seeing”. (04:58)

This suggests that in order to prevent discrimination, enterprise

regulations must clearly define the eligibility criteria for recruitment,
and only the eligible and capable individual should be employed. The
Quran does not allow discrimination of workers.

One of the most common forms of discrimination seen at workplaces

involves gender. Women must have access to equal opportunities, the
same as men, and gender discrimination is forbidden. Women were
always at the forefront of Islamic history. Women had equal rights in
Islam. During the time of wars, an important aspect was granting of
protection (Aman). The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬allowed the grant of protection
by women. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Indeed a woman grants
 (assurances of protection) to a people” – meaning it is to be honored –
“from the Muslims”. (Jami`at-Tirmidhi: 1579)

Bullying and harassing others at the workplace is offensive and will

lead the perpetrator to hell (hence allowing the Government to take
action against such a person, especially when they are violating the
rights of others). It is reported that “people said to the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬:

Messenger of God (‫)ﷺ‬, a certain woman stands up for prayer at night

and fasts during the day, and does many a good thing and gives money
for charity but she offends her neighbors with what she says. He said:
‘She is devoid of goodness. She is one of the people of the Fire’. They
said: A certain woman prays only obligatory prayers and gives little
for charity, but she does not offend anyone. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said:
“She is one of the people of heaven”. (Adab al Mufrad: 119)

The Quran also forbids any kind of sexual harassment. The verse
07:81 says, “Verily, you go after men for your lust, leaving the
women; you are in truth given to transgression”. (07:81). This implies
the prohibition of all kinds of sexual harassment and misconduct at the
workplace and in employment relationships.

In the same way, Quranic verses 24:19 and 31:06 also imply that
workers who disrupt the work environment through actions leading
towards harassment should be punished by the employer in order to
prevent further sexual harassment and ensure the protection of all
workers. “Indeed, those who like that lewdness should spread
amongst the Muslims, for them is an agonizing punishment in this
world and in the Hereafter. And Allah knows (the intentions of such
people) and you do not know”. (24:19)

Bullying is an example of oppression, and it is a weakness since the oppressor is

either in need of something or is ignorant. Oppressors believe they are powerful
and capable of dominating others, yet this is due to a weakness inside
themselves. To combat harassment, one can contact the police, inform friends
and family members, urge the harasser to stop and move away, remain cool, and
never give up, since Islam teaches us that there is always hope.

Sources:

https://www.apa.org/topics/racism-bias-discrimination/types-stress
https://www.hrsolutions-uk.com/4-types-of-discrimination/
http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/problem/134409
https://islamiclabourcode.org/equality-of-opportunity-and-treatment/
https://islamiclabourcode.org/harassment/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harassment#Workplace
https://www.globalpeoplestrategist.com/consequences-of-workplace-
discrimination-and-harassment/
https://imam-us.org/bullying
https://islamiclabourcode.org/equality-and-nondiscrimination/