Imam Talal Eid Interview
from Sound & Spirit program "The Spirituality of Work"
Sound & Spirit host, Ellen Kushner: Imam Talal Eid is the Religious Director of the Islamic Center of New England. Born in Lebanon, he took one degree in Cairo, and another at the Harvard Divinity School. He has devoted his life to the study a and practice of Islam, and to interfaith dialogue.
TE: When we speak of Islam, we mean a way of life. The aim of Islam is to develop spirituality in the life of the people... The way they work...the way they talk; and the way they act also.
S&S: And what does the Koran teach about work?
TE: Islam puts emphasis on honesty in the work. As the prophet Mohammed says, "If you accept to undertake a particular work, then you have to do it with honesty, and perfectly." If you are working and the boss is watching over you, you make sure that the work is perfect--No mistakes. And once the boss disappears, then you start just doing any kind of work... As if, oh, nobody is watching over you. In Islam we know that whether the boss is watching or not, God is watching us: So we have to make sure we are doing a satisfactory work and a perfect work at the same time. The prophet Mohammed says that every person should do his or her best to earn his living.
Now, when you say "Earn living...", here now, the spirituality comes: What kind of living? Is it, to sell drugs, is considered a type of living? Of course this is just to make money and nothing else...but you are hurting so many people at the same time. So it has to be a "Tallel" or "Lawful means" of earning living... and of course making sure that they type of work you do is good, correct and perfect.
S&S: In this world, of course, there are people who have a bad time at work, and it's not their fault; They're...they're doing their best; they're trying to give perfection; but they're in a bad situation, where they're being unfairly paid, their boss is cruel to them, they're in something outside of their control... How can Islam help them?
TE: We have to remember, it's a material world today... There are so many things a couple need to buy. There are so many responsibilities... The husband and the wife working, and then at the same time taking care of the children. The long hours of work are taking the people away from spirituality. Here the church can play an important role - whether the mosque, synagogue or the church - they can play an important role. But you need the people who would go there! Of course there will be a type of help for them; But if people did not stretch out their hands, then they will not receive the kind of help they want, to develop their spirituality.
S&S: What about prayer? Does the practice of prayer help you in your work; or does it distract you in your work?
TE: Alright... The prayer plays an important role. During the day there are certain times that we need to pray. We start saying, "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful... Praise be to God," and then we ask him to guide us to the straight path. Prayer promotes decency and honesty. In a way that when I pray I'm reminding myself that I have to be decent and honest. So cheating and lying are not acceptable, so if a person would attempt to do such things, now the prayer will remind him.
S&S: In your own life as a Muslim, can you say how your religion or your prayer have helped you do work that might be very hard...
TE: [Draws a breath] You know the clergy life, in general, is a very sensitive job. As an imam, people look at me as an example. And they expect me to be of high moral, stable life, away from all the things that are not acceptable. And it is not just God is watching over me; it's also the people watching over me and these things make me careful, twice, before I do anything. But I enjoy my life, really. I'd say I'm satisfied with my work.
S&S: Imam Talal Eid is the Religious Director of the Islamic Center of New England.
This interview was part of the Sound & Spirit program .
For more of Ellen's conversations check Interviews in the section Above and Beyond.
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