What is the ruling on an administrative manager signing off on fictitious overtime letters for employees, under the pretext of social solidarity, knowing that the work does not necessitate it, and is this considered lying and bearing false witness?

The basic principle is the prohibition of forgery, lying, and deceiving official authorities by registering false information to obtain public funds. Public funds are as sacred as private funds; in fact, they are more so, because tampering with them constitutes an assault on the rights of the entire society, whereas tampering with private funds is an assault on the right of a single individual. Severe warnings have been issued regarding this. Khawlah al-Ansariyyah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Indeed, there are men who delve into Allah's property without right, and for them is the Fire on the Day of Resurrection." Administrative corruption and the collusion of employees in deception and forgery do not justify assaulting public funds and the rights of society therein. Accordingly, it is not permissible to forge letters indicating a non-existent need for overtime work.