Speaking Frankly about pay a.k.a salary a.k.a remuneration

Yes, yes. Everyone favourite topic. Salary. Bonus. Allowance.

Salary is paid to you because you have contributed or done some useful work to the organisation/company which pays you. Salary is also given in recognition of the good work done and effort put in the task given. Some can be based on the number of hours or the amount of output produced. Whatever it is, you have to give something before you get anything.

I got a friend, who everytime we meet, will talk about salary. He will always start by saying that his salary is not enough. Then he will continue by saying that he wants to change job. Mind you that is like 4 months ago, now he is still here working in my workplace. While listening to him, deep down I wonder and search my feelings about salary.

Frankly, I too want a higher salary. I too envy those who put in the same effort as me but earning higher. I too wish that I could have a job that pays me higher. In fact, deep deep down, I wish I had the highest paying job among all my friends who graduated with me. There! You have it, it is all out.

But wait, I am not done yet. The previous paragraph is the Nafsu talking. Human will never have enough. We always want something better and when we got it, we demand something even better. And so on. So how to cure this? Simple. With Kesyukuran(Sorry at this instant I can't remember the English word for that). Be glad that you are earning and have food on your table. Some of us aren't as lucky to have a stable job to support the family. Allah has made the plans for you. The job you are doing is meant for you. The salary you are getting is meant for you. You will never know, if you were to get more than what you are getting now, Allah might pull His other nikmat from you. So beware, money will blind you and cannot be brought to the grave. Always say Alhamdulilah for all the things that you get be it small or a lot. InsyaAllah, you will be happy in life.

But wait, I am not finished yet. Having said all that, Allah also encourage us to aim as high as we can and achieve as much as we can. As Muslim, we must try to be the best in whatever we do. Afterall, we are the best of mankind(quote from the Quran). So we must strive to be the best. If getting the highest paying job means to be the best, so be it. Let other know that, a Muslim can also get a high paying job. Be a company director, CEO etc.

So what am I saying here? Am I confused? To seek a higher pay or not? To look for higher paying job or not? Huh?

Well, the key message here is Mardhatillah, to seek the pleasure of Allah. The intention must be set right right from the start. Why are you working? Who are you working for? What do you intend to do with the money you earn? What do you want to achieve at the end of your life? and much more. These questions need to be answered and answered correctly. Then you will have happiness in life. Let Allah and Islam be the centre of our life.

Easier said than done huh? Yup, this is a reminder to myself too. I too have been blinded by the materialistic value of this life. May Allah guide us and give us His blessing in whatever we do.