Thursday 18 Ramadan 1445 - 28 March 2024
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Ruling on tricking a website and mediator for freelancers by registering oneself as having certain skills and residing in a different country when that is not true

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Publication : 24-08-2022

Views : 1525

Question

I registered with a website for freelancers (Upwork) but they did not accept my account in the beginning, even though I supplied all the information, as I work in the field of electrical engineering, and they are no more than mediators between me and those who are seeking services, and they will take a share of the earnings. But I found someone who explained a way to make them accept my account, by changing the country of residence and putting America, and changing the field of work to audio engineering. They accepted my account immediately, then I changed the information back to the original details. Is it permissible for me to find work through this website or not?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

There is nothing wrong with these websites working as mediators between those who have skills and those who are seeking services, in return for a percentage of the earnings, according to the terms of the contract. This comes under the heading of brokerage and fees for services, which are permissible.

But if the website stipulates that you should have specific skills, or it is limited to working with certain countries, then it is not permissible to try to trick it, because that comes under the heading of lying and deceit, which are both prohibited, and because the condition of brokerage is that it should be done on the basis of mutual consent, and the website has not consented to making a contract with you.

According to the hadith, “Scheming and deceit lead to the Fire.” Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu‘ab al-Eemaan; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 6725). Also narrated by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh in a mu‘allaq report as follows: “Deceit leads the fire; whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter, it will be rejected.”

Based on that, you must contact the people in charge of this website and tell them the truth about your situation. If you are not able to do that, then you must leave this website, then you may register again with your true information, if you wish, and we hope that they will accept it.

And Allah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A