The Ruling on Joining Trade Unions

Some argue that unions are permissible if they: ▪️Work to safeguard the interests of workers ₁ ▪️Do not harm the employer ₂ ▪️Provide training, professional development services, and offer a monthly salary to employees who are dismissed, funded by the collected contributions ₃ ▪️Avoid involvement in commercial insurance or prohibited investments ₄ ▪️Refrain from engaging in prohibited activities ₅ ____ ₁ meaning it advocates for workers' rights through lawful and ethical means without violating Islamic principles, such as fulfilling contractual obligations and avoiding harm to employers ₂ If the union engages in prohibited activities, such as strikes that disrupt work, cause harm to the public, or involve unlawful pressure tactics, then it is not permissible to participate, as Islam encourages fulfilling contractual agreements and avoiding harm to others. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Muslims must abide by their conditions, except for a condition that makes unlawful what is lawful or makes lawful what is unlawful." (Tirmidhi, 1352) ₃ If membership fees is in exchange for providing permissible benefits—such as access to the union’s club, educational services, the union’s support in cases of employer misconduct, or similar advantages. However, if joining the union does not provide any permissible benefits other than the possibility of assistance, then resembles gharar (excessive uncertainty) and qimār (gambling), where a person pays money in exchange for an uncertain outcome that may or may not occur. ₄ If the insurance surplus is not taken by the union but instead added to the members' fund, and if the funds are invested in a permissible manner, then this constitutes cooperative insurance, which is permissible. However, if the surplus is taken by the union, then this constitutes commercial insurance, which is prohibited. Also, if the surplus is not taken by the union but is invested in an interest-based bank, then this constitutes cooperative insurance that is prohibited. ₅ Sheikh Albāni rahimahullah states: "I believe that all these unions are based on non-Islamic principles and operate under laws that contradict Islam. As I understand it—though I may be mistaken—these unions must collect funds from their members. Where do these funds go? They are deposited in banks, which means that members effectively become partners in such dealings, making participation impermissible. This is one of the reasons, though I am not an expert on the specific details of these unions. However, I do know in general that they function according to man-made laws that contradict Islamic teachings. Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to be a part of them except in cases of necessity(*), and I do not believe that this principle applies to such a situation." https://www.al-albany.com/audios/content/9671/%D9%87%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7 -------- (*) if joining a union is mandatory for employment, as is the case in some countries, then joining would be permissible, and the responsibility for the wrongdoing would fall on those who impose it.