Fatwa ID: 02831

Answered by: Alimah Sabrina Saidova​​

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

 I had a query regarding an incident I did a while ago. I was at the airport in an African country. At the departure lounge, the receptionist of a premium lounge offered me to use the premium airport lounge for free (he mentioned it was free but expected a tip). As such, I entered and used the lounge by simply sitting there and used the quietness to perform my prayers (didn't eat, drink, or use any products). Later on, recently, I wondered if what I did was wrong.

As such, I would like to find out first if what I did was wrong in terms of shariah specified behaviour. And secondly, do I owe this lounge company any money? The lounge itself is either for business class passengers mainly or people who paid.

However, the person at the gate waived this fee for me. In addition, if I do owe any money, what is the ideal way of paying this as there seems to be no way of doing this directly where it would actually be paid forward to the company. Jazakallah for your help

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

If the receptionist set you giving him a tip as a condition, then, in that case, it seems as if he might be trying to cheat the company. This is understandable because normally they get paid hourly, so whether or not a customer paid doesn’t necessarily affect their income. If your overwhelming thought tells you that this may be the case, then it would be best to find a way to pay the company back. However, if the receptionist only expected a tip but didn’t necessarily make it a condition for your free pass, then this isn’t unlawful for you as you received admission from someone who represents the rules and regulations of the company.

And Allah knows best

Answered by Alimah Sabrina Saidova

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham