Spirituality in the Workplace

is this a good reply to a query that was skeptical about the role of spirituality in worksplace?

Spirituality cannot be quantified in these research questions, as it is not dependent on workplace norms and anything worldly for that matter.
It is a different obligation to the Creator of this world in monotheistic religions, and that higher being happens to be an omnipotent God.

Resenting ploys at workplace which deny personal right of a person to pray according to own faith, are mere obstacles which have other petty motives by which the faith of a person is humiliated or the person is being demeaned by disallowed prayers or religion-focused conversations.
As long as the prayers and the conversations are not political, no one ought to have the nerve to disregard peoples’ spirituality.
Sadly, it happens though at workplaces, due to exactly what you said: paranoia, be it personal, racial or religious.

Thus, it is a greater issue which needs to be handled by not devaluing somebody’s faith or prayers and spirituality, but by encouraging other people to look within and check their biases or even utter lack of spirituality.

A Muslim person praying at a workplace is only reviving own faith through prayer and is not harming anyone, I imagine. If a Jew or a Christian person would offer prayer at own workplaces, I am sure a person following Islam as faith, is not going to think or say that the Jew or the Christian person is being Anti-Muslim when praying according to own religions.

Spirituality is a way of life for people who believe in their respective faith. They have all the right to express it, live it out reasonably during the course of their waking and working hours. & yes, it is true that a spiritually well-grounded person is both emotionally and socially more mindful as well as nice to deal with.

People who are spiritually healthy, they know that life is not to be taken for granted and other life forms are to be treated with kindness. They know humility and they follow it. They also realize this fact that ultimately they will turn to dust at their deaths. They believe in the concept of end of time, heavens and hell, where they will end, for their actions, while they were physically alive on earth.

We are no one to judge which ones from among us are more religious than others. However, our actions do foretell whether we are spiritually alive or not. Certainly no one should feel entitled to disregard people’s faiths. If anything, praying to one’s God can become a very collective spiritual experience for people who are open minded enough. It can be in and of itself a very good strategy to being people of various faiths together and resolve their worldly conflicts and inner in-group/out-group-based wrong perceptions which lead to violence.

A spiritually strong person is better able to take on world’s challenges, partly because of that same prayers which enable that person to look towards each coming moment with a positive outlook and thus is able to handle the negativity, following morals of fairness, justice and ethical reasoning with positive outlook on life. Finally, a good human being at all levels of interaction with others, can be the follower of any particular faith so long as s/he does not violate the laws and rules of ethics and morality which are universal for all humans and are primarily based on fairness.

Re: Spirituality in the Workplace

I was told at 2 of my jobs, that as long as I wasn't clocked in on company time, that I could pray, read the Bible, even in the lunch/break room.
I believe your right though, We shouldn't be hindered anywhere.

Re: Spirituality in the Workplace

it has to be deen first, then dunya.... those who want to ensure rights to practise one form of spirituality or rather should make that clear BEFORE they accept the job offer.

I told (not asked) my boss that I'd need time to pray at work, and he said I could use my lunch breaks... had I been a guy, I wouldv'e made sure I had enough time to pray Jummah as well.

And shouldn't hinder either... it is a two-way Siraat.

Re: Spirituality in the Workplace

Most employers do not have an issue with one's time of worship, as long as you do not use it as an excuse to cut back on work. Often people are quite fascinated by the way you pray and what you say while praying that they'd start to inquire about it afterwards. It's as much a pleasure explaining it to them, as it is performing it.

And in those rare cases, should an employer have an issue with you praying while at work, then you have to decide whether you can compromise the faith or job. It's a moral decision that falls on one's conscience. The choice may not always be easy, but it is/should be very clear Faith is more important than worldly affairs.

Oh I agree to that teggy, but your post makes me wonder if you are talking about faith, or rituals, that are more important than "worldly life".

Re: Spirituality in the Workplace

I meant Faith (as a whole) is more important than Worldly affairs. Islam specifically, is easy to follow, so there are no "awkward" rituals which may make you feel uncomfortable while performing required prayers, anywhere, anytime.

teggy I know what you meant... faith (as a whole) has nothing to do with rituals btw; religion does.