Ruling on Taking an Oath from an Employee at the Time of Appointment

Source

Taken from: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpuri

Question

What is the ruling on taking an oath from someone at the time of appointing them to a job?

Answer

Taking an oath from an employee appointed to a government or private position is permissible. However, if this oath is violated, no expiation (kaffārah) is required. Nevertheless, the person does become sinful, because such an oath is essentially a promise and a contract, and violating a contract is a major sin.

Evidence from the Qur’an

❀ Allah Almighty says:

﴿وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًا﴾
[Banī Isrā’īl: 34]

“Fulfill the covenant; indeed, the covenant will be questioned about.”