Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Brother Burhan, Assalamu Wa Alaikum

I am an expatriate working in Saudi Arabia in a small organization which deals with Industrial Equipment. After gaining the knowledge in this field i have started my own business in similar field without consent/knowledge of my sponsor/owner. As per saudi arabian labor law its illigal to do business/work if i am working under one sponser and joinging with other sponser for such activitees. Since i am working under my presence sponser and doing the similar business without his knowledge with other sponsor i confused whether it is halaal or haraam to do. Please claryfy according shariah my earnings from this business is halaal or haraam?

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Answer:

Working with two sponsors

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

First and foremost, Shariah Law does not prohibit one from taking two jobs to earn their livelihood, if they wish to do so.  But because you have a specific agreement and understanding with your current employer that you will not work in any other job other than his organization….it would only be piety and righteousness in the Sight of Allah that you fulfill the terms of your contract with your employer. 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 29:

29      O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: but let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-will.

Secondly, because holding two jobs, or holding a job and running one’s own business is against the law of the land….and you would have to practice deceit and fraud and lie to the government regarding the operation of your side-business….it would obviously not be permissible, not only in accordance with the law of the land, but also in Shariah Law; for the practice of lies, deceit and fraud of any kind and type are absolutely and categorically unlawful in Shariah Law.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan