Unjustly claiming from the U.I.F
Question
The U.I.F offered to pay out employees that were not employed during the lockdown period. However, if an accountant claims from the UIF for a company that was open for business during the lockdown, then will such a claim be considered as legitimate in terms of Shariah?
Answer
The U.I.F is a fund primarily established to assist unemployed people. During the lockdown period, many people were left temporarily unemployed due to the lockdown, hence, many people were left in a financial crisis and difficulty. The relief granted by the government was to assist such individuals, hence, companies that were unable to remunerate employees were permitted to claim from the U.I.F.
This relief was not intended for employees that were employed and earning during the lockdown period. Therefore, it is incorrect for the said accountant to claim from the U.I.F.
- Answered by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Ifta Ibn Masood. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.