The law of taking food belonging to a miserly employer
Question:
Assalamu'alaikum, Ustadz.
I want to ask. What is the law, if I take my employer's food? Because if I don't take it, I won't give it.
Thank you, chaplain.
Salam,
Fulanah
Answer:
Wa'alaikumussalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
My sister who is blessed by Allah. Working as a domestic worker (PRT) is a lawful job. Finding a good employer is a gift that Allah gives to a domestic worker. Every employer or domestic worker has rights that must be accepted as well as obligations that must be fulfilled. This includes agreements that must not be violated as long as they contain goodness (maslahat).
Rasulullah teaches good behavior towards domestic workers, saying: "Do not give a work load that they (your servants) are not able to do. If you give a job beyond measure, you have to step in to help him. " (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
In another narration, Rasulullah reminded that employers must feed their domestic workers the same food they eat.
In another narration he said:
allah اه لم, اب اطعام المملوك ا ل, 4317
From Abu Hurairah ra he said, Rasulullah SAW said: "If the servant of one of you makes food for him, then he comes to bring the food to him, while the servant has felt the heat and is exposed to the smoke, then he should ask him to sit down to eat with him. . If he eats a little, then he should put in his hand a mouthful or two. " (Narrated by Muslim, Chapter Feeding a Servant From the Food He Eats, hadith no. 4317)
Then, how is the law for a domestic worker to take food from her employer without her permission on the grounds that she will not be given the food?
Basically, taking someone else's property without his permission is a sin.
When is it permissible to take other people's food without his permission? The scholars allow this if in a very emergency. For example, if he didn't eat that day he could die from it. What is important, take it not to excess and overreach.
Meanwhile, if we take it only because we want the food without being pressed by an alarming hunger, then it is not allowed.
Be patient with employers who may not be humane. May Allah immediately provide the best solution, amen.
God knows best, bish-shawab.
Regards!
Answered by: chaplain Very Setiawan, Lc., S.Pd.I., MH
Editor's Note: Under Hong Kong law, apart from having to provide a monthly salary according to the standards set by the Government, employers also have the obligation to provide domestic workers with sufficient food every day. If the employer does not do this, then he must provide money in exchange for food. Based on the decree of the Hong Kong Government, as of October 1, 2020 the amount cannot be less than HK $ 1.121 per month.
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