Book of Task-Based Rewards and Hire

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On the meaning of the term ijārah (hire)

The term ijārah derives from ajr, meaning recompense. Thus, to say that one man hired another means that he employed him to perform work for a wage—that is, recompense for his work. This comes from the expressions “May Allah reward you” and “He rewards you,” meaning “May He recompense you” and “He recompenses you.” Allah, mighty and majestic, says:

“O my people, I ask you for no reward for this. My reward is only with the One who created me. Will you not then understand?” [Hūd: 51]

That is: I ask you for no recompense for this; I seek recompense for it only from Allah, who created me. He also says:

“If you wished, you could have taken payment for it.” [al-Kahf: 77]

And He says:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, He will give them their rewards in full.” [Āl ‘Imrān: 57]

And He says:

“Allah has favoured those who strive over those who remain behind with a great reward” [al-Nisā’: 95]—“ranks bestowed by Him, forgiveness and mercy.” [al-Nisā’: 96]

There are many such examples in the Quran.

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On the scriptural basis for the permissibility of hire

The basis for the permissibility of hire is the saying of Allah, mighty and majestic: