Ruling on taking money for work that was not performed
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I am a government employee, and my job sometimes requires overtime. The department I work in assigned me and some of my colleagues to work outside of official working hours for a period of (45) days. I was keen to attend with my colleagues, but they did not inform me of it.And when I asked one of them, he said to me: My turn had not yet come before the specified period ended, and the payment for that work was distributed to me and my colleagues. I am confused about this money: is it lawful or forbidden? I should mention that my direct supervisor and the head of the department are satisfied with my work, as I am considered an active employee in their eyes. Perhaps this amount is a reward for my diligence and good work, given that my salary is low. If this money is not lawful, what should I do with it?
This question occurs frequently.And I am asking you now: Is this a right or is it invalid?Meaning: Is this reward that a person receives for a specific job one that he actually performed or not? He did not perform the work. If he did not perform the work, then taking the money is taking it without right, and taking money without right is consuming money by falsehood entirely. This also involves betraying a trust. Even if the direct supervisor approves of such work, he is a traitor. The money is not his money—I mean the direct supervisor’s—so he cannot dispose of it as he pleases. The money belongs to the state.
I believe this questioner has repented from what he did and that he wants to be rid of it. I do not say he should return it to the department, because that would cause problems, unless he knows that returning it to the department would lead to his supervisor being tried. In that case, there is no harm. I would like it if such supervisors who do such things had their matter clarified so that the necessary measures could be taken against them. However, manipulation is not permissible, for this is a trust.
So I say to this brother: Put this money in a mosque, because the mosque is something the state is obligated to build, or something similar that serves the interests of the Muslims. By doing so, his conscience will be cleared.And I, on this occasion: I warn supervisors and managers who do this kind of work.And I say: Fear Allah in what you are entrusted with, and fear Allah also regarding the employees under your control. Do not give them what is not lawful for them, and do not betray the state by giving to those who do not deserve it.
This question occurs frequently.And I am asking you now: Is this a right or is it invalid?Meaning: Is this reward that a person receives for a specific job one that he actually performed or not? He did not perform the work. If he did not perform the work, then taking the money is taking it without right, and taking money without right is consuming money by falsehood entirely. This also involves betraying a trust. Even if the direct supervisor approves of such work, he is a traitor. The money is not his money—I mean the direct supervisor’s—so he cannot dispose of it as he pleases. The money belongs to the state.
I believe this questioner has repented from what he did and that he wants to be rid of it. I do not say he should return it to the department, because that would cause problems, unless he knows that returning it to the department would lead to his supervisor being tried. In that case, there is no harm. I would like it if such supervisors who do such things had their matter clarified so that the necessary measures could be taken against them. However, manipulation is not permissible, for this is a trust.
So I say to this brother: Put this money in a mosque, because the mosque is something the state is obligated to build, or something similar that serves the interests of the Muslims. By doing so, his conscience will be cleared.And I, on this occasion: I warn supervisors and managers who do this kind of work.And I say: Fear Allah in what you are entrusted with, and fear Allah also regarding the employees under your control. Do not give them what is not lawful for them, and do not betray the state by giving to those who do not deserve it.