CHILD LABOR UNDER ISLAMIC LAW (THE SHARI’AH): AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Child labor is a serious world phenomenon that affects child’s rights. In general, child labor reflects any form of child employment whether
it is hazardous or not-hazardous to children’s welfare. Millions of children are working around the world in order to assist their destitute family, or themselves. It is so unfortunate that many are also forced to involve in dangerous employment like armed forces, drug trafficking and sexual exploitation. This clearly violates children rights especially the right to receive kind treatment, maintenance, good health and education. In Islam, children are regarded as bounties from Allah the Almighty and should be loved and cherished. This paper examines an Islamic overview on child labor and how children should be protected. Our analysis extends to certain means that Islamic law may offer to further protect children from labor. For that purpose, the analysis will involve examination on Islamic perspectives on the role of the government in combating child labor and what are the preventive measures that may be undertaken in
order to prevent child labor.