Question:
Assalam o Alaikum
I want to ask about the ruling on the Family Tax benefit (a payment that helps eligible families with the cost of raising children) by the Australian Government.
1) Is it permissible to take that money?
2) Can I use that money for my personal expenses? Or that should only be used on child?
I want to ask about the ruling on the Family Tax benefit (a payment that helps eligible families with the cost of raising children) by the Australian Government.
1) Is it permissible to take that money?
2) Can I use that money for my personal expenses? Or that should only be used on child?
Answer:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Wa alaikumussalam
1) Yes, it is permissible for you to take the money provided that you have truthfully declared your financial status.
2) From a Sharia perspective, the payment provided by the government falls under the ruling of a gift transaction. In principle, a condition or obligation cannot be attached to a gift as the recipient becomes the sole owner of the gift. If any condition has been attached, then the gift will remain valid; however, the condition will be invalid.
Upon making enquiry with Centrelink, we have been informed that the one applying for the payment is the legal owner of the money. Therefore, if the father applies for it, he will be the owner of the money and, likewise, if the mother applies, she will be the owner of the money. Furthermore, as per our knowledge, no specific obligation has been outlined by Centrelink regarding the expenditure of this money nor is there any legal duty to use it in a certain manner. Therefore, it will be permissible for you to utilize this money as you please. However, since the main intent behind this scheme is to benefit the family in general, we would advise that the money be used in a way that justifies the scheme. Additionally, it is important to note that if the wife is the applicant of the money, then from Sharia perspective she cannot be forced to spend it on the family, as the responsibility of providing for the family is upon the husband. Therefore, we advise that the husband should apply for the payment. *
1) Yes, it is permissible for you to take the money provided that you have truthfully declared your financial status.
2) From a Sharia perspective, the payment provided by the government falls under the ruling of a gift transaction. In principle, a condition or obligation cannot be attached to a gift as the recipient becomes the sole owner of the gift. If any condition has been attached, then the gift will remain valid; however, the condition will be invalid.
Upon making enquiry with Centrelink, we have been informed that the one applying for the payment is the legal owner of the money. Therefore, if the father applies for it, he will be the owner of the money and, likewise, if the mother applies, she will be the owner of the money. Furthermore, as per our knowledge, no specific obligation has been outlined by Centrelink regarding the expenditure of this money nor is there any legal duty to use it in a certain manner. Therefore, it will be permissible for you to utilize this money as you please. However, since the main intent behind this scheme is to benefit the family in general, we would advise that the money be used in a way that justifies the scheme. Additionally, it is important to note that if the wife is the applicant of the money, then from Sharia perspective she cannot be forced to spend it on the family, as the responsibility of providing for the family is upon the husband. Therefore, we advise that the husband should apply for the payment. *
And Allah Ta'ala knows best.
Sh. Anas Ahsan
28/02/2024
Checked and approved by:
Mufti Faizal Riza
Mufti Anas Qazi
Darul Ifta Australia
www.fatwa.org.au
Sh. Anas Ahsan
28/02/2024
Checked and approved by:
Mufti Faizal Riza
Mufti Anas Qazi
Darul Ifta Australia
www.fatwa.org.au
________________________
*References:
*References:
في البحر الرائق: الهبة: هي تمليك العين بلا عوض، وتصح بإيجاب وقبول كوهبت ونحلت، وأطعمتك هذا الطعام (البحر الرائق: 7/412 ط. دار الإحياء والتراث العربي)
قال في الهندية: قال اصحابنا جميعاً : إذا وهب هبة وشرط فيها شرطاً فاسداً فالهبة جائزة والشرط باطل كمن وهب الرجل أمة فاشترط عليه أن لا يبيعها أو شرط عليه أن يتخذها أم ولد أو أن يبيعها من فلان أو يردها عليه بعد شهر فالهبة جائزة وهذه الشروط كلها باطلة كذا في السراج الوهاج، وإن وهب الرجل أمة على أن يردها عليه أو على أن يعتقها أو علي ان يستولدها أو وهب له داراً أو تصدق عليه بدار على أن يرد عليه شيئا منها أو يعوضه شيئاً منها فالهبة جائزة والشرط باطل كذا في الكافي، والأصل في هذا أن كل عقد من شرطه القبض فإن الشرط لا يفسده كالهبة والرهن كذا في السراج الوهاج. (الفتاوى الهندية: 4/443 ط. قديمي كتب خانه)
ہبہ کو معلق بالشرط کرنے کا حکم : سوال: ہر معلق بالشرط صحیح ہے یا نہیں ؟ مثلاً کوئی شخص کہے کہ اگر اس مہینہ میں میری شادی ہوئی تو یہ
کتاب آپ کو ہر یہ ہے۔ الجواب: بصورت مسئولہ ہی معلق بالشرط باطل سے صحیح نہیں ہے (فتاوى دار العلوم زكريا: 5/554 ط. زمزم)
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/co029-1407
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/family-tax-benefit
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/income-support
https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/2378718/co029-1701en.pdf
https://www.dss.gov.au/families-and-children/benefits-payments/family-tax-benefit
