The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your example and the example of the people of the two Scriptures (i.e. Jews and Christians) is like the example of a man who employed some laborers and asked them, 'Who will work for me from morning till midday for one Qirat?' The Jews accepted and carried out the work. He then asked, Who will work for me from midday up to the `Asr prayer for one Qirat?' The Christians accepted and fulfilled the work. He then said, 'Who will work for me from the `Asr till sunset for two Qirats?' You, Muslims have accepted the offer. The Jews and the Christians got angry and said, 'Why should we work more and get lesser wages?' (Allah) said, 'Have I withheld part of your right?' They replied in the negative. He said, 'It is My Blessing, I bestow upon whomever I wish .'
Hadith Commentary: The Parable of Laborers
This profound hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (2268) presents a magnificent parable illustrating the distinction between the Muslim Ummah and previous nations in their acceptance of divine guidance and the resulting spiritual reward.
The Three Periods of Labor
The first period (morning to midday) represents the era of Prophet Moses and the Jews, who were given the Torah and asked to follow its complete teachings until the coming of Jesus.
The second period (midday to Asr) symbolizes the era of Prophet Jesus and the Christians, who were given the Gospel and instructed to uphold its teachings until the advent of Prophet Muhammad.
The third period (Asr to sunset) signifies the final era of Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims, who accepted the complete and final revelation of Islam despite its arrival in the last period of human history.
Divine Justice and Generosity
The complaint of previous nations about receiving lesser reward despite longer periods of observance demonstrates human limited understanding of divine wisdom. Allah's response affirms His absolute justice - no right was withheld from any nation.
The double reward for Muslims exemplifies Allah's boundless generosity (fadl). Though Muslims came last, their acceptance of the complete, preserved, and final message in a time of greater spiritual darkness merits greater divine favor.
Spiritual Lessons
This parable teaches Muslims gratitude for being chosen as the final Ummah while warning against arrogance. It reminds us that divine reward follows divine wisdom, not human calculations.
The hadith also consoles Muslims that though they are the last nation chronologically, their spiritual status is not diminished but potentially enhanced through Allah's infinite mercy and the completeness of Islamic guidance.