Employing Religious Scholars Like Mill Workers

Question

In the region of Gujarat, when an ‘alim is needed, he is invited on certain conditions. After two or five years they want to dismiss him by means of some pretext. Although he comes for the term after accepting the conditions, all kinds of work are loaded onto him. For example, if someone has been engaged to give fatwas, then if by chance he did not come one time, another responsibility of the madrasa is laid on him. If that ‘alim refuses, is that right?

Answer

Despite the employee’s observing what was clearly agreed, resorting to tricks and excuses to dismiss him and loading him with an excessive burden is not permissible. And since there is a one-year agreement with him, he should not be dismissed without reason either.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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