Working in a commercial establishment and being asked by the one purchasing for a public utility to increase the amount on the invoice
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Fatwa number ( 18312 )
Q: Iwork as a salesperson in one of the commercial stores, and my employer asks me to issue an invoice to a customer for an amount higher than the actual value of the goods,for example, if he buys goods from me for fifty riyals and asks for an invoice for seventy riyals, I am not to refuse him that, and my employer's justification is to please the buyer and not lose him as a customer of the store, and likewise if
he requests that goods be added to the invoice that we did not sell to him, I am to do that to please the customer as well. I ask about the ruling on this action: is it permissible for me, and is it permissible for me to obey my employer in this? And if I do not do it, he will do without me. So what is your guidance and advice to him and to those who force their employees to do such things in order to gain customers and clients for their commercial establishments?
A: It is obligatory for you to be truthful, and not to mention in the invoice anything other than the actual price for which you sold the goods to the customer; because mentioning an increase in the invoice so that the customer can take it from his agent who sent him to purchase, relying on the invoice, is a lie. Thus, you would have caused the consumption of people’s wealth by what is unlawful. Likewise, adding goods to the invoice that you did not sell is a serious matter, and the worst of people is the one who sells his religion for the worldly life of another. We ask Allah for safety. So you must repent to Allah, adhere to truthfulness, and not obey your employer in disobedience to Allah; for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Mishkat al-Masabih 3696 . And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Iwork as a salesperson in one of the commercial stores, and my employer asks me to issue an invoice to a customer for an amount higher than the actual value of the goods,for example, if he buys goods from me for fifty riyals and asks for an invoice for seventy riyals, I am not to refuse him that, and my employer's justification is to please the buyer and not lose him as a customer of the store, and likewise if
he requests that goods be added to the invoice that we did not sell to him, I am to do that to please the customer as well. I ask about the ruling on this action: is it permissible for me, and is it permissible for me to obey my employer in this? And if I do not do it, he will do without me. So what is your guidance and advice to him and to those who force their employees to do such things in order to gain customers and clients for their commercial establishments?
A: It is obligatory for you to be truthful, and not to mention in the invoice anything other than the actual price for which you sold the goods to the customer; because mentioning an increase in the invoice so that the customer can take it from his agent who sent him to purchase, relying on the invoice, is a lie. Thus, you would have caused the consumption of people’s wealth by what is unlawful. Likewise, adding goods to the invoice that you did not sell is a serious matter, and the worst of people is the one who sells his religion for the worldly life of another. We ask Allah for safety. So you must repent to Allah, adhere to truthfulness, and not obey your employer in disobedience to Allah; for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
A creature is not to be obeyed when it involves disobedience to the "Creator.”
لا طاعة لمخلوق في معصية الخالق
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.