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Fatwa CenterGaining benefits by deceptive
Question
I live and work in UK. In order to get extra welfare benefits to help pay my rent and local council taxes (on top of national taxes) I am showing less income (earnings). By doing so I get extra money which helps pay various bills and I save some as well. Is this permissible? Is this income Haram? Is the whole amount of benefit I get Haram or parts?
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.
In principle there is no harm in accepting this benefit and making use of it.
The preponderant opinion is that it is permissible to accept gifts from the Mushrikin (the non-believers).
Bukhari reported that Anas (Radiya Allahu Anhu) said: 'A Jewish girl brought a poisoned lamb to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and he ate from it'.
However, cheating and making use of deceptive methods to gain this benefit, by providing the department of this benefit with something other than full qualifying information includes two forbidden matters:
- The first is telling a lie.
- The second is benefiting and making use of people’s money without any right.
Therefore you should repent, and be keen in telling the truth as this leads to Paradise, and you should respect the agreement according to which you entered this country. This will give a good reputation to Islam and to Muslims.
It is incumbent upon you to reimburse the remainder of that money to the appropriate department, by any possible means as long as you do not cause harm to yourself.
You have to know that what you are entitled to of this money is Halal in principle, and whatever is beyond that is Haram to you.
Allah knows best.
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