How can we apply Islamic concepts in our real life to be a better Muslim for example, at work?

Islam covers all aspects of our life. If we are working, they are variety of principles which Allah has provided us through Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for a work dealing in a way that is pleasing to Allah.

We have other parts of life that we can deal with Allah and Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), but during the work time, we are now slaves to dunya. This is a mistake on our part. In this period when we are working, this should not be any different from when we are not working. It is all one. The guidance from Islam, to the time when we are working should be same as the time we are not working. So the means when you start the job in the morning, wherever you job is, there are things which Allah require from you. Try to do your work in accordance with the laws of Allah. By doing that, you are utilizing the time for the pleasure of Allah.

You are dealing with your basic needs because you are in this life, and there are some things you need to provide for you. But at the same time, you do not make it so important that you forget Allah .You do it according to what Allah wants you to do. You are honest in your dealings. You have the opportunities to steal things, to trap corners to cheat, to lie. All these different opportunities are there. In a working of hotel, you may deal with the corrupt people; these corrupt people may have something which is very attractive. How to deal? – This is your work. Now you are tested. Will you obey Allah or the corrupt person? What did you do? You will advise the person to be good. If the person despised, then you will avoid them. So in your process of work, you are pleasing Allah.

You are commanding the good and prohibiting the evil. You are avoiding the evil and seeking good. Some of them will be compulsory things and some of them will be voluntary things. Do you understand? You are told to do a particular job, a job that requires you to do a specific thing. However, there are other things which you can do to which you may not get money for, that will cause you to do your job well. You can get a job that is a bare minimum; nobody can say that you did not do your job. But, it is about doing your job well. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said “When you do something, do it well.” Do it as best as you can. So by doing it again, you are pleasing Allah.

Islam is not war, some people look at it as a war. By doing something more, they have no opinion anymore, masjid is not place of peace anymore. If the person tries doing something extra, he says my supervisor is not giving me a better job. This is not from Allah .In most places the person is distorted. It is beneficial to him when he is it a voluntary act, to seek pleasure of Allah, to fulfill what Allah requires from you. It may also earn him extra. If his concern is primary and he is doing it for the pleasure of Allah.

I am talking in general terms, if I know what exactly your job is and you outline what exactly your job is, we could find thousands of different way to seek the pleasure of Allah in your 9 hours of day work, in terms of compulsory act as well as doing the voluntary act.