CHILD LABOUR IN ISLAMIC ECONOMICS AND CAPITALISM

PERSPECTIVE

According to Islam, childhood is principally a period when children are to

enjoy their lives through playing and entertainment, and to receive the
education and skills that will enable them to lead a successful life in the
future. There is no harm in assigning children some work that is
appropriate to their age and physical capabilities. However, it is unlawful
to employ children in exhausting fields that are beyond their physical
abilities, or to make them work all the day without having any kind of fun.
Moreover, it is said that a child is a precious gift from God and is needed
to be taken care, make sure that they receive enough love and their well
being are not neglected.
An authentic hadith is reported by Muslim and narrated from Anas
bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him). Anas bin Malik said: Once the
Messenger of Allah (the Prophet) came to me while I was playing with the
boys. He greeted us and sent me on an errand. (Sahih Muslim, Book 2,
Hadith 8). Another authentic hadith is reported by Bukhari and narrated
by Anas. Anas bin Malik said: Whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him)
went to the privy, a servant and I used to carry a skin water container
and a spear and he would cleanse himself with the water (Sahih Muslim,
Book 2, Hadith 87). These references from Hadith prove that the Prophet
(peace be upon him) used to assign the children some works, so according
to Islam, in some cases, children can be assigned with some tasks. Anas
bin Malik worked, as an assistant of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon
him) for more than nine years. He worked under the Prophet (peace be
upon him) for a prolonged period and thus, the work was continuous and
not temporary (Azzaam & al-Muwaajidah, 2008).
Child labor is work carried out to the disbenefit and endangerment
of a child, in violation of international law and national legislation. It either
deprives children of schooling or requires them to assume the dual burden
of schooling and work. Child labor to be eliminated is a subset of children
in employment. It includes all unconditional worst forms of child labor,
such as slavery or practices similar to slavery, the use of a child for
prostitution or for illicit activities. Work done by children under the
minimum legal age for that type of work, as defined by national legislation
in accordance with international standards.
Laissez-faire principles of political economy emanating from Adam
Smiths Wealth of Nations (1776) have influenced, and continue to
influence, a wide range of important policy issues. On the question of child
labor, Smiths views have served as a point of resistance to regulation
both historically and today. However, in spite of Smith, all developed
societies have recognized the need for limits on child labor, and even most
developing societies are coming to a similar recognition. In outwork, most
children served as substitutes for adult labor in that they performed the
same tasks as those performed by adults, albeit at considerably lower
levels of output. A few children would have also served as unpaid
assistants to adults, for example, carrying materials back and forth from
the manufactory and the home workshop.

References
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312377147_CHILD_LAB
OUR_ISLAMIC_PERSPECTIVE
2. http://www.un.org/en/events/childlabourday/background.shtml