Date : 05-02-2012

Question :

I hold a university degree in a certain field. Not long ago, I applied for a job through the state`s "Youth Employment Program," so I was sent to a primary school. However, the school`s administration hasn`t entrusted me with any tasks, so I spend most of my time engaging in idle talk with other colleagues. The administration has even told me that I can stay home. Is this permissible or should I go to the school, even if I have no tasks to deliver?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.


It isn`t permissible for whoever is entrusted to do a certain job to be negligent or underperform the duties required of him/her. He/she should also have a sense of moral commitment. The state`s "Youth Employment Program" aims to develop the country and society, not to waste time or public funds.


Therefore, it is unlawful for the administration of the above school to allow any staff member not to come to work without a valid excuse.


It is also unlawful for participants in the aforementioned program to be negligent in performing their duties. Rather, they should be creative and try to come up with constructive ideas through which they can serve the school. This is in order for their wages, which they collect from the state`s  treasury, to become lawful. This is attested to in the verse where Almighty Allah says (What means): "O ye that believe! betray not the trust of God and the Apostle, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you." {Al-Anfal, 27}.


We (Iftaa Department) advise those in charge of the above program (Youth Employment Program) to conduct follow up visits and assess its usefulness. They should also choose the right tasks for the youth so that the latter perform them properly instead of wasting time doing nothing. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.