Presenting false information to receive government aid

7-6-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I wanted to ask if food stamps and the WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) are haram or not? These consist of financial assistance with food. When we show them a proof of income while applying for this assistance, we show them a lower income than I make because I cannot afford much. Is this haram?

---

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 ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

If receiving this aid is governed by certain conditions, then it is impermissible for you to receive them if these conditions are not met in your case. It is prohibited to present false information to trick the concerned authorities into giving you aid while you are not entitled to receive it. The Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, “The Muslims are bound by their conditions, except a condition that forbids what is deemed lawful or permits what is deemed unlawful.” [At-Tirmithi  - hasan saheeh (good or sound)]

Allaah knows best.