Can I Compensate for the Missed Hours of Work on Any Other Week of the Month?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I have a question regarding income. I currently work (intern) for a company through an external contractor. Every week, I submit a timesheet detailing my hours to the external contractor, and payment comes through them.

On some weeks, I was unable to complete my 40hrs, and so I agreed with my boss (in the company where I’m working, not the external contractor) to fill out my timesheet with 40hrs, but make up the missing hours later. He’s completely okay with doing this and even told me at the start of my work that I could do that if I wanted to, I just had to let him know.

In case I do makeup all those hours, would there be an issue with my income for declaring that I’ve worked 40 hrs in a given week, but have not yet actually finished those hours yet?

Answer

This arrangement seems to be fine and permissible. However, it might be better to clarify it with your contractor too.

Usually, the company you work for pays a certain amount to the contractor, who then takes a cut, and pays you an agreed amount. Seeing as the employer is fine with your arrangement, everything should be fine.

Intending Calling Others to Islam

One of the benefits of being in such a situation is that you get to display the good character a believer is encouraged to have. Intend to embody the conduct of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in the hope that they may see the beauty of Islam and adopt it.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “For Allah to guide one person through you is better than you having red camels.” [Bukhari] This was a description of the most expensive and sought camels. So one person accepting Islam though you are better for you than vast amounts of wealth.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.