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Fatwa CenterPermissibility of working in customs depends on the permissibility of the customs themselves
Question
What is the ruling of working in customs in an Arab country that does not rule according to the Islamic Sharia? Is it considered a form of collecting tolls? What is the ruling of working in a medical department related to the customs administration?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.
The permissibility of working in customs depends on the permissibility of the customs themselves and whether he collects the money directly from the people or works in its medical or any other department, regardless if the country applies the sharia or not. The criterion is the reason for imposing the customs. If the government imposes it in return for providing services for the sake of the payer or spends them in permissible public affairs on the grounds that the available funds are not sufficient to fulfill these needs, then it is permissible to work for it and it does not take the ruling of collecting tolls. It is also permissible to work in any of its departments and the income is lawful. However, if it is a form of consuming the wealth of others for no legitimate reason with no services in return, or without an urgent need to spend on permissible public affairs or that they collect excessive sums, then it takes the ruling of the wrongful collection of tolls which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, described as one of the major destructive sins. Therefore, working in an administration that applies such rules is impermissible and the income from it is unlawful. In conclusion, there is no doubt that it is recommended to stay away from such work if you are not sure of the permissibility of the current customs collecting system so as to avoid involving yourself in prohibited matters. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “What is lawful is evident and what is unlawful is evident and in between them are doubtful things which many people do not know. So he who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and honor blameless and he who indulges in doubtful things has, in fact, indulged in unlawful things.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Allaah Knows best.
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