for them in wages.’ They worked until the time of the afternoon prayer, then said, ‘Our work for you counts for nothing; you may keep the wages you promised us for it.’ He said, ‘Complete the rest of your work, for only a little of the day remains.’ But they refused. He then hired some people to work for him for the remainder of the day. They worked until sunset and received in full the wages of both groups. Such is their likeness and that of the light they accepted.”
Section
Hiring contracts fall into three categories: permissible, disliked, and prohibited. Permissible hiring is free from ignorance and contractual uncertainty, apart from a slight, excusable degree of either, and concerns lawful work.
Section
A hiring contract is valid only with specified, known remuneration and a known term, or something serving in place of a term: the distance to be covered when transporting something, or completion of the entire task when work is commissioned. The work must also be described, or there must be an established custom governing the work and service upon which the contracting parties proceed; this then takes the place of a description. This is indicated by the words of Allah, exalted:
“I wish to marry one of these two daughters of mine to you, on condition that you work for me for eight years.” [al-Qasas: 27]
He specified the remuneration and fixed the term but did not describe the service or work, because established custom and practice made that unnecessary for them both. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever hires a worker should inform him of his wages.” He also said: “Whoever hires a worker should hire him for known wages and a known term.” Thus he, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed that the remuneration be specified and the term fixed, but said nothing about describing the work, since established custom and practice may serve in its place and make that unnecessary.
Section
Hiring is a binding contract: its conclusion binds both contracting parties, just as a sale does. It falls into two categories: first, a hire established as an obligation owed by the worker; and second, a hire whose obligation is tied to his person. As for