Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
I know of a case where a woman faked cancer for two reasons. Firstly, she did not want children in her marriage while her husband did. She faked the cancer to convince her husband that having children is difficult or potentially harmful. The other reason for faking her cancer was that she was terminating a work contract. By presenting a fake medical illness through a false doctor’s letter, she would be awarded more severance pay due to the disability or illness. That being said, what is the Islamic ruling on this and do you know if this is a criminal activity in Canada, if so, can I report it to the authorities?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Kind
Thank you/ Jazāk Allāh Khayr for contacting us with your question.
Faking and or falsifying an illness falls in the category of fraud, deception and lying from an Islamic perspective. This is both prohibited and also sinful in Islam. To lie or commit fraud such as obtaining a false doctor’s note for the purpose of avoiding pregnancy against the desires of one’s husband and or acquiring illegal funds, is forbidden in Islam. Such actions will lead to the breakdown of marriage, and also wealth devoid of blessings [barakah].
Kindy refer to the following Prophetic and Qurʾānic statements,
“Lying [and or falsifying] leads to transgression, and transgression leads to Hell. A person continues to lie until they are recorded as a liar [in the book of deeds].” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
“It is great treachery that you should tell your brother [or sister] something and have them believe you when you are [in actuality] lying.” (Sunan Abū-Dāwūd)
“And whoever betrays, [taking wealth unlawfully], will come with what they took on the Day of Resurrection [for judgment before God]. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.” (Qurʾān 3:161)
As far as regarding the acquisition of funds in an illegal manner, as criminal activity in Canada and reporting it is concerned, I would advise you to contact a lawyer and seek counsel from them for the appropriate action. The lawyer will perhaps advise you to also report the doctor who issued the fraudulent letter, as well as get in contact with the ex-employer for a claim regarding the misappropriated funds.
I pray the Almighty grant everyone the ability to be firm on good morals, civic duties and Islamic ethics.
And Allāh Knows Best