What is the ruling on taking the housing allowance that exceeds one’s need

The questioner : This is a very important issue. It also occurs in Qatar, where when someone retires, for example, an engineer, a doctor, an employee, or a teacher, they give them what is called a setup allowance, as if they give them, for example, thirty thousand to set up a house. This employee often finds that this amount is above his need, so he goes to one of the shops and takes from it a fake receipt or a fake invoice for items worth thirty thousand. Then he takes this invoice to the designated place, to the specific employee in charge of that, and the amount is disbursed. Then he buys for about five or six thousand and takes the rest for himself. This scenario is often asked about.

The Shaykh : The answer, within the limits of what you explained, is of course not permissible. But the beginning of your speech seems to differ from the end. Repeat the first part for me: an employee is given a setup allowance?

The questioner : An employee is given a setup allowance, meaning this amount is for him to set up a house with it.

The Shaykh : When is it given to him?

The questioner : When he comes to the country and starts working at the beginning of his employment. Of course, this is for some employees, not all employees.

The Shaykh : That is not what concerns us.

The questioner : So this amount...

The Shaykh : One by one. Of course, he needs transactions to become a proper employee, right?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Of course, it is not just that he calls the official and says, "I want to work for you," and he is told, "Please come." It is necessary to know what your nationality is, what your job is, what your specialty is, what your certificates are, and so on. After all these procedures, his name is registered as an employee in this department with such-and-such a salary.

The questioner : No, he comes originally as a contract worker from his country.

The Shaykh : All roads lead to the mill, and this is better for me. May Allah reward you. Excuse me, he arrived, meaning a good employee came. As soon as he calls the official, what do they give him?

The questioner : They give him a setup allowance or a specific receipt with which he takes the setup allowance.

The Shaykh : This is what I find difficult, while I understood from your last words the opposite of your first. How much did they give him as a setup allowance?

The questioner : They did not give him a sum, but he has the right to have a setup allowance on the condition that he brings these items, meaning he presents an invoice with this amount, let it be, for example, ten thousand or thirty thousand.

The Shaykh : No, I think there is something in this speech; because I know in all countries there is a fixed setup allowance, meaning when the professors go, they are given a monthly salary plus housing.

The questioner : It is not fixed in this country; it is not fixed.

Another questioner : The man is given a grant they call, or a setup allowance. This grant is not cash or a check in his name for him, no, meaning rather he must go through a furniture shop, buy from it, and come with invoices that he bought with this amount. He goes with these invoices or this list to the department and says, "These are the things I bought," or of course he deceives or presents them to them, and at that time they disburse a sum of money for him. It is not for him personally, but for the company. He goes to the company, gives them the check, and they pay the owner of the company a sum of money, five thousand or more or less according to his goods...

The Shaykh : I understood this, and what was the answer? I understood this, but I am afraid, and I gave you the answer that it is not permissible, and until now I say it is not permissible. But it does not enter my mind that the case is like this. I am, as they say in our region in Sham, "I am overwhelmed by the majority." I am overwhelmed by the majority. What do I want with these details? The fatwa is according to the text. You are presenting the text, and I gave you the answer that it is not permissible. As for whether it is like this or not, by Allah, it does not enter my mind. Well, are they not giving him housing? And is the housing also as he wishes? Well, is the housing unfurnished?

The questioner : They give him unfurnished housing.

The Shaykh : And who pays the rent for the housing?

The questioner : The same way, something like this happens.

The Shaykh : Also the same way. May Allah help them from these fraudsters.