Answered by Shaykh Mazhar Mahmood
Question:
Can you please shed some light on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and other similar offerings by the government? There are a lot of people applying with fraudulent doctor’s notes or lying. Independent business owners are giving references to their friends and family so they can apply for this benefit. Is this allowed?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Kind
Thank you for contacting Mathābah for your query. We pray for recovery and stability, worldwide during the current crisis.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is a Canadian financial support program created by the Government of Canada. The program was launched on April 6, 2020, for Canadian residents, facing unemployment due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Other financial support initiatives for business and organizations impacted by COVID-19 have also been introduced by the government.
Telling lies, producing fraudulent documents and falsifying information to obtain this or any monetary benefit, from anyone or the government, is religiously incorrect, immoral and impermissible.
The benefits that the government has introduced amidst this COVID-19 pandemic are meant for the people, corporations and the institutions that are actually and genuinely in need of such funds who meet the criteria.
To lie or commit fraud for the purpose of acquiring the funds, is illegal and also forbidden in Islām.
Deception and lying always results in instability as well as social and spiritual consequences.
Kindly refer to the following Islamic references:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ
“O you who believe, become God conscious and be with those who are truthful.” – (Qur‘ān 9:119)
وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ
“Abstain from lying.” – (Qur’ān, 22:30)
وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَالْكَذِبَ فَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْفُجُورِ وَإِنَّ الْفُجُورَ يَهْدِي إِلَى النَّارِ وَمَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَكْذِبُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الْكَذِبَ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَذَّابًا
“Lying [and or falsifying] leads to transgression, and transgression leads to Hell. A person continues to lie until they are recorded a liar with Allāh [in the book of deeds].” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2607)
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَلاَ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِأَكْبَرِ الْكَبَائِرِ قُلْنَا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الإِشْرَاكُ بِاللَّهِ، وَعُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَكَانَ مُتَّكِئًا فَجَلَسَ فَقَالَ أَلاَ وَقَوْلُ الزُّورِ وَشَهَادَةُ الزُّورِ أَلاَ وَقَوْلُ الزُّورِ وَشَهَادَةُ الزُّورِ فَمَا زَالَ يَقُولُهَا حَتَّى قُلْتُ لاَ يَسْكُتُ
The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) said [to us], “Shall I not inform you of the major sins?” We replied, “Do tell us O Messenger of Allāh”. He explained, “Associating partners with Allah…” He was reclining, but abruptly sat up and said, “Speaking lies and giving false testimonies…” He continued to echo this sentiment. – (Bukhārī: 5976)
مَنْ يَأْخُذْ مَالاً بِغَيْرِ حَقِّهِ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ
“The [needs of the] one who takes wealth unlawfully [will never be fulfilled]. Their example is like the one who constantly eats [and drinks] but is never satisfied [or saturated].” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1052)
Based on the above-mentioned references and other Islāmic principles, we can safely conclude that obtaining the CERB or other similar benefits, through fraudulent means is forbidden and also illegal.
May Allāh alleviate humanity from the COVID-19 pandemic. May He facilitate complete relief for all. May He bestow us with His ultimate grace and His unending mercy.
Allāh Almighty Knows Best
