Islamic Economics Centre (DaruliftaAhlesunnat)
(Dawateislami -Darulifta Ahle Sunnat)
Question
What do the honorable Islamic scholars say regarding the following issue? I work at a company that is involved in cutting and transporting seagrass (a type of grass that grows along the seashore) from one location to another. Our company has been given a two-month deadline to complete this project. My job is to supervise all tasks from morning until evening and then submit a report to the manager about the work done throughout the day.
From the pace at which the company is working, it is quite clear that it will not be able to complete the project within the two-month deadline. However, when I prepare the report, the manager instructs me to exaggerate the progress and present a report indicating that more work has been completed than has actually been done. This is to create an impression on the company that assigned the project to us that the work is progressing efficiently and will be completed on time. Please note I do not receive any extra money or bribe in return for preparing this false report.
Now, if I refuse to prepare the false report, I fear that I may lose my job. Is it permissible for me to submit such false reports under these circumstances?
بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
In the scenario you have asked, your act of preparing a false report and your manager's instruction to you to prepare a false report to deceive the company is impermissible and sinful. Even though you are not taking any bribe for this action, by preparing the false report, you are assisting in the sin of deception, and there are clear prohibitions against assisting in sinful activities in the Quran and Hadith. Therefore, you should repent for the false reporting you have done so far and firmly resolve to avoid this sin in the future.
Regarding the fear of losing your job, remember that it is not permissible to obey any creation when it involves disobedience to the Creator. Try to decline this task tactfully and in a good manner.
The Holy Quran states:
وَ اجْتَنِبُوْا قَوْلَ الزُّوْرِ
Translation:And avoid false statements(Part 17, Surah Al-Hajj, Ayah 30)
Regarding assisting in sinful deeds, the Quran also says:
وَ لَا تَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْاِثْمِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ
Translation:And do not help each other in sin and transgression. (Part 6, Surah Al-Maidah, Ayah 2)
There is also a Hadith from Sahih Muslim:
لا طاعة فى معصية الله انما الطاعة فى المعروف
Translation: No one will be obeyed if obedience to him entails disobedience to Allah; obedience to anyone is only in righteous matters.(Sahih Muslim, Vol. 3, Pg. 1469, Beirut edition)
Answered By:Abu Muhammad Mufti Ali Asghar Attari Madani
Ref No:IEC-0273
Date:19th Dhul-Hijjah-Til-Haram 1445 / 26th June 2024
Translated by Maulana Abdul Wajid Madani
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم