We work, of course work hard, to earn livelihood. But while doing so, how often do we think what is right and what not for us to do? How often do we feel we are doing justice to our work? Has a sense of responsibility ever stirred our conscience? Do we have some amount of accountability that is likely to help us finish off the job at hand properly, honestly and diligently – with care and consciousness? Accountability before whom? Before the law, before the organisation or the authority we are working for, or before the Lord Creator Who has given us the ability, talent and wisdom as well the opportunity to work? These questions come to mind while scrolling through the life sketch of the late Kamal Khan, the award-winning journalist and Lucknow Bureau Chief of NDTV, whose sad demise shocked the journalistic fraternity and the peace- and justice-loving citizens of the country.
One of his friends, Tahseen Munawwar, in an FB message in Hindi, bore anecdotal evidence to Khan’s professional honesty and integrity. Munawwar says once NDTV sent Kamal Khan to cover Hajj. In a telephonic talk, he congratulated Khan, saying he had thus got a golden opportunity to perform Hajj. But Khan told him he was there on professional duty to cover Hajj, not to perform it, not even Umra. This surprised Munawwar that even being present in the close vicinity of Ka’aba Khan is not willing to perform Hajj. But Khan knew that performing Hajj is obligatory for a believer who has resources enough to undertake the journey and maintaining his family back home. Only visit to that holy place for any purpose whatsoever is not Hajj. While doing justice to one’s duty is obligatory that enhances one’s personality.
This is the lesson that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught his Companions and followers. The Blessed Messenger ﷺ said: “Allah loves when one of you (who) does a job does it perfectly.” [al-Bayhaqi] Responsibility and accountability were the salient features of the Companions. They knew for certain that every action they were responsible to undertake, they would also be held accountable for. This sense of responsibility and accountability engendered a sense of self-control in every action they did. In fact, it nurtured a sense of self-improvement that helped them develop a change from within.
The Qur’ān (2:286) says: “God does not charge a soul except (with that within) its capacity. It will have (the consequence of) what (good) it has gained, and it will bear (the consequence of) what (evil) it has earned….”
Islam has developed ethical work culture. In a hadith, Anas ibn Malik relates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Even if the Resurrection were established upon one of you while he has in his hand a sapling, let him plant it.” (Musnad Aḥmad)