Fatwa ID: 02248
Answered by Molana Muhammad Adnan
Question:
Qn 1; I recently started managing the house account after my mum and dad split up. We have 2 workers and I pay them minimum wage even though my mum never did. The problem is that we're losing a lot of money and I am unable to save. I know I should have taqwa in Allah and He is Arrazaq but I'm worried of what will happen if someone gets sick and I can't afford the bill. My dad is disabled and needs the extra help so I can't downsize. We recently replaced one of the workers the new employee agreed on a starting salary below minimum wage(I didn't handle the negotiation). I feel like it is unjust to pay her less than she deserves but the older employee (who was hired at the same low starting salary by my mum) tells me it's unfair to pay them the same amount because she started at that low salary too. What should I do in this situation? I'm even paying minimum wage in secret because if anyone found out they would freak out and say I'm wasting money. But these women are poor and I don't want them and their children to testify against me on judgment day but I also have a responsibility to manage the money in the best interests of my younger siblings who count on money being available when they get sick. What do I do? Whose priority is higher?
Qn 2; Do women who pray fajr at home and make dhikr until sunrise then pray 2 rakaat get the same reward as men in the masjid i.e. a complete hajj and umrah? Or do I have to pray in the masjid to get this reward?
Answer:
If by law both women are entitled to minimum wage then it is important to pay both minimum wage, because it is calculated by estimating a minimum living cost.
Muslim citizens residing in non-Muslim countries should abide by the rules and laws of those respective countries. (Taqreer Tirmidhi Mufti Taqi Usmani)
Ishraaq is 4 rakaah and from its virtues is the reward of an accepted Hajj and Umrah.(Bahishti zewar p169)
Womens salah is most rewarding at home and the reward for nafl salah is also the same for them.(fataawa raheemiyyah vol6 p 151)
Only Allah knows Best
Written by Molana Muhammad Adnan
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
