Working using false documents
25-5-2004 | IslamWeb
Question:
I'm working in a European country using false documents because I haven't other choice and job which I am doing don't need any qualification or certificate. Is what I'm doing Halal?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
There is no harm in Islamic jurisprudence for a person to occupy a position to do any work if he is qualified to do it, while he knows that he is able to do it and carry out its duties to his best, even if he does not have a certificate or official papers.
The earnings from this job are Halal as long as one does the work properly.
As regards falsifying, cheating and deception, these are dispraised qualities and forbidden acts in the Islamic Shariah.
Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {….shun lying speech (false statements).}[22:30].
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) considered falsifying and giving false testimony as the biggest sin, as he said: "….. and (among the major sins) false testimony, and giving false testimony." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]
If the person has the right to obtain these documents, and whatever that entails, and could not obtain them except by forging them, then it seems that it is permissible for him to forge such documents and the sin is on whoever prevents him from getting his right.
However, if he has no right to obtain such documents and whatever that entails, then it is not permissible for him to forge such documents and has to repent to Allah, the Exalted, and get rid of forgery and whatever that entails.
But if by getting rid of these documents he harms himself, then necessities make the forbidden things permissible. However, the necessity is valued according to its proper value. If he is no longer subjected to the harm, then he has to get rid of the Haram immediately. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity?.....}[6:119].
Allah knows best.