Muslims joining trade unions

1-3-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

Can Muslims join Trade unions? Please explain your answer in relation to sacred law rulings regarding employment rights of the employer and employee.

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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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

We do not see any harm in joining trade unions provided that they do not deal with any prohibited act like legislating laws that contradict Islamic Law or endorsing forbidden actions/transactions/dealings like usury, interest, and the like. So if these trade unions deal with any of the mentioned prohibitions or other prohibited acts, then it is not permissible to join them, as in such a case, one is helping them in sin and transgression. Allaah says (which means): {…but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment.}[5:2]. However, if these trade unions are free from any prohibited act and its duties are to specify the responsibilities of the workers, demand their rights, assure their qualifications, degrees, and the like, then there is no harm in joining these unions, as this is helping in praised and permissible actions. Allaah says (which means): {Help you one another in virtue, righteousness and piety.}[5:2].

 Allaah knows best.