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Writing down people’s complaints – among whom are wrongdoers – so that they may submit them to the courts

13-01-2006

Question 35573

I am not really a scribe but people come to me so that I can write a draft etc for them when they make complaints and appeals to the courts. Just as one who has a valid claim may come to you, so too those who have false claims may also come, and both of them may tell me to write wrong things in order to win their case in court. As well as being a scribe I use certain techniques to make their claims sound convinving. Is this work haraam?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

If you are writing down people’s complaints and appeals as they are dictated by the people, and you do not know whether they are true or not, there is no sin on you for what you write down for them. Whatever sins or errors result from that without your knowledge, the sin is on the one who said it.

But if you know that what they are asking you to write down for them is a lie or falsehood, then it is not permissible for you to write it for them, because in that case it is helping them with falsehood and sin, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression”

[al-Maa'idah 5:2]

“And argue not on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Verily, Allaah does not like anyone who is a betrayer, sinner”

[al-Nisa’ 4:107]

You should advise those who you know are lying and remind them of Allaah and of the warning issued to those who tell lies and make false claims, in the hope that they will accept this advice and give up their claims.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

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