Is it permissible to lie about the value of a previous salary to obtain a good wage?
The general rule is that lying is forbidden. However, lying is permissible to achieve a benefit that cannot be attained otherwise. For instance, if you fear that companies will undervalue you if they know your previous salary, and you find no way to secure your rights except by lying about the amount of your previous salary, then there is no harm in that. This is because "every praiseworthy objective that cannot be achieved except through lying is permissible if the objective itself is permissible, and it is obligatory if the objective is obligatory." It is also permissible for a person to lie to themselves and others if it does not involve harm to those others, provided that the lying helps them secure their rights.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 63438
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy