Cheating the Government Out of Welfare Money

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: I am receiving welfare from the government but I am overstating how much I pay in rent in the hope that the government will pay me a little more. Therefore I am lying and getting more then I actually deserve.

Secondly, and more seriously, I am using my brothers identity for work purposes. If I use my own name I will not receive the welfare from the government because no one who is working is entitled to welfare.

I am in bad financial difficulties due to been married for six months to my overseas wife whom I support financially. I am also responsible for supporting my mother who cares for my disabled brother. I do not want to have haram earnings for this could destroy my hereafter. I need Islamic advice as to what I should do in order for me to get out of this hole.

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

It is not permitted to lie and deceive in order to gain wealth– from the government or otherwise. Such wealth is unlawful (haram) for you to take, and this has numerous consequences.

Trust in Allah, and you’ll see the blessings flow down into your life.

Allah Most High says, “And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will grant them a way out, and will provide for them in ways unimagined. And whoever places their trust in Allah, then Allah is their sufficiency. Allah’s affair will surely come to pass–and Allah has made a clear decree for everything.” [Qur’an, 65. 2-3]

Try to leave the wrong as quickly as possible. If someone leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah replaces that thing with something better. Leave it, and Allah will open to you a door of lawful (halal) sustenance. Taqwa comes first. Then comes the opening. I’d also highly recommend reciting Surat al-Waqi`ah daily.

See also: Welfare and Deception and: A reader on Patience and Reliance on Allah

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam