Social Prohibitions
Question :

If a person indulges in backbiting and slandering his co-workers with his superiors with the intention to be in his seniors’ good books, so that he gets a promotion, is this permissible and is his income lawful?

Answer :

It is prohibited to backbite and make accusations against believers, but this does not make the salary unlawful.

Keeping the Change
Question :

I work in a store as a cashier, and sometimes the customer pays more than the required amount and says, ‘keep the change.’ Can I take that extra money for myself?

Answer :

If you understand from the customer that the money is given to you personally, then you can keep it for yourself. But, if the customer’s intention was to give the extra cash for the store, or the employer stipulates that extra cash is the store’s, then you cannot take the cash.

Using Office Material for Personal Purposes
Question :

Is it permissible for someone to use the office computer in the place of work to print out some Islamic materials from the internet for a personal consumption?

Answer :

It is not allowed without the permission of the office owner.

Shaving the Beard
Question :

Can a man shave his beard? Is your ruling based on a precaution or an edict? I am unemployed and have to provide for my family. A job is offered to me and they asked me to shave. What should I do?

Answer :

It is not permissible to shave. The ruling is an edict and not an obligated precautionary measure. You are advised to look for a permissible kind of livelihood, as Almighty Allah is with whoever looks for a permissible sustenance. Almighty Allah said: “And whosoever keeps his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him” (65:2).

Barber Work
Question :

I work as a barber, and sometimes I am asked by my customers to shave their beards. Am I allowed to do so for non-Muslims?

Answer :

It is not permissible to shave the beard of Muslims and non-Muslims.

Wages
Question :

If a Shia Muslim employer is paying low salaries to his employees irrespective of status or rank, and it is lower than the market rate, is this permissible? If a person is promoted to a higher rank, but his salary remains the same, is this permissible? If an employee bears this injustice against him, will he be rewarded for his forbearance, or should seek and demand for his rightful salary according to market rate? If the employee speaks with his parents, relatives and friends about the situation and complains against the employer, is this regarded as Gheebah (backbiting)?

Answer :

It is not prohibited for the employer to pay his employees less than the market rate salary, if the employees agree to the wages, as they have the option to accept or reject the job.
If a believer is patient in the times of hardships and misfortunes, then he will be rewarded for it, God willing. But if one can get a better job, but decided to be patient in staying on the current low-salary job, then we cannot be certain that he will be rewarded.
If he explained his situation to others without belittling his current employer, then it is not prohibited.

Mobile at Work
Question :

My work contract states that it is not permitted to bring mobile phones into the workplace. Can I bring my phone in, without using it?

Answer :

Violating the stipulated conditions of the work contract is prohibited.