Title: Favoritism in the Job Market Question: In 2002 i managed to get a job in a company. The requirement was to to have one year prior experience, written test and interview. I had one year prior experience. There were some 30 candidates for the test, i with 4 others qualified the test. I used my uncles reference (sefarish) to get the job. I left the job last month to proceed for my higher education in norway. Is the money that earned working in that company was Halal.....or was it Haram because i used sefarish to get the job. I would also like to mention that it is normal here in Pakistan to use some influence to get a job if one can, all the people try to use one or other reference to get job, some succeed and others dont. But there is always one or two person who are without any links. Answer: From a halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden) point of view, there is nothing that says one cannot attain a job using references or assistance of those with influence. This does not mean that getting an unfair advantage would be ethical. In fact, such a thing runs counter to the spirit of Islamic guidance towards equity and justice. As such, things like cronyism and nepotism are things that should be looked down on and shunned. Nevertheless, it does not seem that this is the case with you. It seems that you have met all the necessary requirements to attain the position and if your uncle had any influence it was merely a blessing to you at the time. Thus, there is no haram (sin) on your part. Keep in mind, however, that even if you did not have the qualifications and you were assigned that position because of your uncle, no one may say you committed a sin or that it is forbidden. It is spiritually more elevating that we try to be fair to ourselves and others in such a situation, which is why I have stated that having these values are in harmony with the spirit of Islam. Keeping the above in mind, it will have to be up to our consciousness and wisdom to decide whether what we are doing is right or wrong. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan September 12, 2007