Question :

I`m a Muslim and I live in Sweden and receive a salary from the Swedish government. I had to buy a car because my place of residence is far from schools and markets. I give lifts to some of my neighbors in return for a fair, and this is considered illegal according to the Swedish labor law because it is tax free and I haven't obtained the residence permit yet. Is this kind of work unlawful because it violates the state`s laws? How about if I did it only to cover my car`s expenses such as insurance, tax and repairs, would it still be unlawful or not from an Islamic point of view? May Allah reward you.

The Answer :

All perfect praise be to The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

It is imperative that a Muslim, who lives in a non-Muslim country, complies with the laws and regulations of that country provided that they aren`t in violation of Sharia. This because a true Muslim fulfills the covenant, keeps the promise and delivers the trust, as Enjoined by Allah, The Almighty, Who Says (What means): "And fulfill the covenant. Indeed the covenant will be enquired into." {Al-Isra`/34}. Moreover, our Prophet (PBUH) ordered us to pay the deposit to him who deposited it with us, and not to betray him who betrays us, whether at times of war or peace. Allah, the Almighty, says, "And if you fear, from any folk some treachery, then cast it back to them with fairness. Truly God does not love the treacherous." {Al-Anfal/58}. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Pay the deposit to him who deposited it with you, and do not betray him who betrays you." {Abu Dawud}.

In conclusion, one who broke that state`s laws and regulations have transgressed but that doesn`t mean that his earnings from permissible work are unlawful because whatever a person earns is considered lawful so long as what he does is permissible. And Allah Knows Best.