A laboratory assistant has no tangible work in his school
24-5-2007 | IslamWeb
Question:
As-salam Alaykum All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger My Question There is a young man employed as a laboratory assistant in a school here in Nigeria with O level Certificate by goverrment of a state . But the Laboratory of the school where he was posted to is nothing to write home about (i.e it is not equiped), as a result of this there is no tangible work for the man in the school except other assigned duties by the principal of the school. As a result of this he and his boss (principal) agreed that he should further his education, but when he got admisiion is on full time basis, the principal agreed so that he may be of more benfit to the school after acquiring higher certificate and he may be promoted to higher level with the conditon that he will not totally abandoned the school but he shoould be coming to school occassionaly, this is done without goverment approval for such an (in-service training). This young man is a muslim and he has been in dillema as to the legitimate of his earning with the condition explained above about his further training, note the young man is financially handicapped and the principal does not demand for any bribe or compensation from his salary, if he should resign the work there is no assurance that he will be able to complete the higher eductaion programme. With his condition he is assisting student in teaching subject that are not having qualified teacher. Please what can he do? and what is the islamic legal ruling on this condition? Maa Salam
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
If this man who is appointed as a laboratory assistant does not find work in the school where he is appointed and the director in charge of the school allows him to continue his studies, then it appears that this is permissible provided that this employee is ready to work at any time he is asked to do so. That is because a hired person (whether a government employee or else) is obliged to be ready to carry out any work he is required to do, and if there is no work or that his employer did not order him to do any work while the latter is ready to do any task, then he deserves his salary as the contract requires that he submits himself for work and this is achieved.