His boss tells him to accept work from contractors that is contrary to the required specifications

Question: 138974

I work in a government department as an engineer and I have to accept the work of the contractors. Sometimes there is some shortfall in the specifications, so I tell my boss at work, who in turn tells his boss who is in charge of the department, and he gives instructions to overlook it and accept the work. What should I do from the shar‘i point of view if I obey my boss in this matter?.

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

If an employee is entrusted with some work, then what he
must do is fulfil that trust properly, because Allah says (interpretation
of the meaning):

“Verily, Allaah commands that you should render back the
trusts to those, to whom they are due”

[al-Nisa’ 4:58].

And the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
said: “Allah loves, when one of you does something, for him to do it well.”
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah,
1113.

Based on that, if this overlooking of specifications is
something minor that is usually overlooked in contractors’ work, there is
nothing wrong with overlooking it.

But if it is very different from what is required, to the
extent that it may be regarded as deception or corruption, it is not
permissible to accept the work from the contractor unless one writes a
report of the shortcomings in which the contractor did not adhere to the
specifications.

Even if in this case your boss instructs you to overlook it
and accept the work, it is not permissible for you to obey him, because he
is instructing you to deceive and lie, and the Prophet (blessings and peace
of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no obedience to any created being if
it involves disobedience to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted.”
Narrated by Ahmad (1098); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Silsilah
al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, 197

If you can refer the matter to those responsible so that they
may take appropriate measures, that will be a good thing. But if you are
afraid that one of them may harm you, then it is sufficient to refuse to
accept the work unless the faulty specifications are recorded. Then you will
have done what is required of you in your work, so that you will not be
accused of cheating or making a deal with the contractor later on.

It should be noted that if a person seeks to please Allah by
angering people, Allah will be pleased with him and will make the people
pleased with him.

So strive to please Allah, may He be exalted, and do not fear
the blame of anyone for the sake of Allah.

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He
will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could
imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him.
Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose”

[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]

We ask Allah to help and
guide you.

And Allah knows best.

Source:

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