Answered by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari
MOT – a test every British motor vehicle must pass to be deemed road worthy (includes emissions tests etc.) and the original question… Recently someone in my family took my car to get MOT’d. Upon returning he told me that the car had failed but that as the mechanic was a friend of his they had passed the car (as a favour). Is this a sin upon me and if so how should I rectify it?
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
An MOT (Ministry Of Transportation) is an annual examination and inspection of vehicles for safety and roadworthiness. In Britain, cars and other vehicles need annually to pass a MOT test in order to be licensed for use on the tarmac, in accordance with the regulations set down by the ministry of transportation.
If one’s car failed the MOT test but the mechanic passed the Mot as a favour, then this would be unlawful and a sin. The reason being is that having a false MOT certificate is a form of deception and lying, both of which are major sins. There is also the aspect of disobeying the law of the land, which is not permitted unless if the law is contrary to one’s religion.
Therefore, firstly you should make sure that this does not happen in the future and seek forgiveness from Allah Most High. Secondly, in order to rectify this, you should go to a mechanic and repair those things in your vehicle which would have made your vehicle fail an MOT test. In other words, you may have another valid MOT test carried out on your car and then do away with the certificate, as you already have one.
And Allah knows best
Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari
Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK