Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
What is the ruling on: 1) One who is on welfare? 2) One who is on welfare and works under the table? 3) Receiving unemployment insurance?
The Light of Creation, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “I was only sent to perfect noble character.” [Ahmad, and others]
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The one who cheats is not of us.” [Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and others]
He also said (peace and blessings be upon him), “The one who does not fulfill trusts has no faith, and the one who does not fulfill commitments has no religion.” [Ahmad, with a sound chain of narrators]
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
It is permitted to receive welfare and unemployment insurance as long as:
a) one is actually eligible, and
b) fulfills the conditions of eligibility.
Taking welfare and then working under the table is deception, which is not even permitted with one’s enemy in dealings, let alone with the government one is living under.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani