Question:
What is the ruling on taking a tip?
Answer:
Some scholars are quite stern regarding the matter however the matter may require more research:
The fifth question of Fatwa no. 9206
Q: If I work in a pharmacy or any other place where I get my wage from the employer, but some buyers give me tips; what is the ruling on taking these tips without asking for them?
A: It is not permissible for you to take this money, for it is a kind of bribe, which is Haram (prohibited).
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
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Q: I work as a postman. I get some tips for delivering mails and postal orders. Is this tip considered a gift or a bribe?
A: There is nothing wrong with that. This is based on the general meaning of the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “Requite him who does a favor to you…” In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Every good deed is a Sadaqah (act of charity) Narrated by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih (authentic book of Hadith).
No doubt this tip encourages the postman to deliver different postal services as quickly as possible.
May Allah grant us all success!
Shaykh Bin Baaz
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Ash-Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him, was asked the following question:
332 ـ لدينا قصر أفراح، وفيه طباخون، وبعض الطباخين يطلب إكرامية بالإضافة إلى راتبه؛ فهل يجوز إعطاء العامل مبلغًا من المال إكرامية؛ حيث إنه تعود أخذه من الناس؟
Question:
We have a party hall which contains cooks (i.e. chiefs) and (it is known that) some of the cooks request a tip along with his salary. So is it permissible to give the worker some of the money from the tips. Since it has become a habit for him (i.e. the cook) to take it from the people?
إذا كان هناك عامل من العمال له راتب وله أجر مقطوع من صاحب العمل؛ فلا يجوز لأحد أن يعطيه؛ لأن هذا يفسده على الآخرين؛ لأن بعض الناس فقراء لا يستطيعون إعطاءهم؛ فهذا العمل سنة سيئة.
Answer:
“If there is a worker who has a salary and a fixed pay by the employer, then it is not permissible for anyone to give him (these tips) because this ruins things for others. The reason (for this) being is that some of the people are poor and aren’t capable of giving them (the tips). Therefore, this action is a bad tradition. ”
Reference: al-Muntaqa of Fataawa al-Fawzaan #332.
Ash-Shaykh Abdurahman Al Baraak, may Allah preserve him, was asked the following question :
ما حكم إعطاء عامل المطعم زيادة علماً أن بعض الفواتير بها بقشيش ؟
Question:
What is the ruling on giving a worker of a restaurant more (money), bearing in mind that some of the bills have tips included?
” لا يجوز إعطاء العامل هذه الزيادة لأنها تعتبر رشوة منك للعامل حتى يعطيك من الخدمة أو الطعام أكثر مما يعطي غيرك ممن لا يدفع له هذه الزيادة ، وليس للعامل أن يخص أحداً بمزيد خدمة ، وعليه أن يعامل الناس معاملة واحدة . لكن .. إذا انتفت من هذه الزيادة شبهة الرشوة أو المحاباة فإنه لا حرج فيها حينئذ
كما لو قصدت بها الإحسان إلى هذا العامل الضعيف المحتاج وأنت لن تتردد على هذا المطعم
Answer:
It is not permissible to give the worker this additional amount because it will be bribery from you to the worker in order that he gives you (extra) service or more food than what he gives others of those who don’t give the additional amount (i.e tips). (Therefore), it is not befitting for the worker that he specifies anyone with extra service. Rather, it is upon him to treat the people the same. However, if this additional amount contains no doubt of bribery therein or shows favoritism, then there is no problem in it then (in that case). Similarly, if you intend by it to be kind to this weak worker who is in need and you are not going to become (later) hesitant about this restaurant, (then there is no problem in giving the additional amount).”
Translated by
AbdulFattaah bin Uthman
Abu Fajr
