Fatwa ID: 07665
Answered by: Maulana Sheik Abdel Ahaad Imrit
Question:
Is it permissible for an employee to join a union in which he has to pay a monthly fee?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Wa ʿalaykumu s-salam waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,
Unions are bodies that represent the interests of workers in particular industries or occupations. Unions play an important role in the workplace.
They can advise on and resolve workplace issues by being a voice for employees and act as a bargaining representative during bargaining negotiations.
Other responsibilities of unions include ensuring employers are meeting their minimum obligations and looking into suspected breaches of:
- workplace laws
- discrimination laws
- workplace safety laws.
This concept aligns with the idea of wakalah, where a fee can be charged for representation. When individuals cannot represent themselves in situations like legal matters, they may turn to a union to act on their behalf.
However, it is important to note that only what is rightfully due can be claimed. It is impermissible to accept anything wrongfully taken from the employer.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Mawlana Sheik Abdel Ahaad Imrit
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
«الفقه الإسلامي وأدلته للزحيلي» (4/ 2997):
«الوكالة بأجر: تصح الوكالة بأجر، وبغير أجر، لأن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يبعث عماله لقبض الصدقات، ويجعل لهم عمولة (1). فإذا تمت الوكالة بأجر، لزم العقد،»
«النتف في الفتاوى للسغدي» (2/ 574):
«وَلَا أُجْرَة على الْمعاصِي لَا الْمُسَمَّاة وَلَا الْمثل»
«مجمع الأنهر في شرح ملتقى الأبحر» (2/ 384):
«أَوْ الْمَعَاصِي) أَيْ لَا يَجُوزُ أَخْذُ الْأُجْرَةِ عَلَى الْمَعَاصِي (كَالْغِنَاءِ، وَالنَّوْحِ، وَالْمَلَاهِي) ؛ لِأَنَّ الْمَعْصِيَةَ لَا يُتَصَوَّرُ اسْتِحْقَاقُهَا بِالْعَقْدِ فَلَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ الْأَجْرُ، وَإِنْ أَعْطَاهُ الْأَجْرَ وَقَبَضَهُ لَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ وَيَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ رَدُّهُ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ.»
«تبيين الحقائق شرح كنز الدقائق وحاشية الشلبي» (5/ 125):
«قَالَ رحمه الله (وَلَا يَجُوزُ عَلَى الْغِنَاءِ وَالنَّوْحِ وَالْمَلَاهِي) لِأَنَّ الْمَعْصِيَةَ لَا يُتَصَوَّرُ اسْتِحْقَاقُهَا بِالْعَقْدِ فَلَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ الْأَجْرُ»
