How to Distinguish When Something Is Indirect or Direct Assistance in Sin?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

1. Someone who is trying to claim benefits of the government, without being eligible for it, took my laptop and told me he is going to use it to fill out a registration form to claim benefits and I allowed him to use it. Is this an example of indirect assistance in sin?

2. How to distinguish when something is indirect or direct assistance in sin?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

1. Yes, the scenario described would be an example of indirect assistance in sin. But why don’t you assume the claim is legitimate and that you aren’t aware of all the details of the person’s personal circumstances? In either case, it would not be sinful.

2. If you are directly party to the sin, it is direct assistance. If the action you did is permissible, then it is indirect assistance. Please see the numerous examples found in the archives here.

Ignore misgivings.

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.