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.
A worker or employee is trustworthy and deserves pay for doing the requested work or dedicating his time for that. It is unlawful for an employee to take pay for doing nothing and he is considered sinful for abstaining from doing his work in the best manner or taking pay for the day in which he was absent without valid excuse. Moreover, it is unlawful for him to take pay for the latter day because he has earned it unlawfully. The evidence on this is that it has been narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah who said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "After me there will be favoritism and many things that you will not like. They (his Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, what do you order that one should do if anyone from us has to live through such a time? He said: You should discharge your own responsibility (by obeying your Amir), and ask God for your right (by guiding the Amir to the right path or by replacing him by one more just and God-fearing)." {Related by Muslim}.
If a Muslim doesn`t do the work requested from him, then he isn`t entitled to the salary. This is regardless of whether he works for the public or the private sector. The degree of prohibition, as regards getting paid while doing nothing, is even higher when it comes to a public employee because he transgresses against the rights of others in terms of the service he is supposed to offer them as well as against the funds of the Muslim nation as a whole. Khawlah al-Ansariyah (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Some men acquire Allah’s Property (such as the funds of the Muslim state treasury, Zakah etc.) and they will go to Hell on the Day of Resurrection.” {Related Al-Bukhari}.
Therefore, the General Iftaa` Department advises all workers and employees-who have good hearts and carry a noble message-to be merciful to the people of Jordan and fulfill their tasks effectively, then claim their rights through peaceful and constructive dialogue. They should also be keen on pleasing Allah first and foremost and enjoy the noble character of the committed Muslim, as commanded by Sharia. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.
