Does delaying the salary of a Muslim maid and not providing her with sufficient food, leading her to eat surreptitiously, accord with the rulings of Islam?
The mistreatment of a maid, delaying her wages, and depriving her of food, contradicts the teachings of Islam, which command that a servant be fed from what their master eats and clothed from what their master wears, and that their wages be given in full, without reduction. The maid should clearly and politely demand her rights, because procrastination in paying wages is a grave injustice for which Allah has warned that He will be the adversary of its perpetrator on the Day of Resurrection. If the employment contract includes the provision of food and drink, or if common custom dictates it, then the maid may eat and drink without permission. Otherwise, she must arrange for her own food. If she has not received her wages and their payment is delayed, she may eat reasonably to meet her needs.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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