Fatwa ID: 03561

Answered by: Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Question

Assalamu Alaikum.

I live in France. Here, the French government give money to parents after a child is born for the upbringing and educational expenses. This money is for parents and not directly to the children. So, the ownership of this money is not for the children but this money was destined to the expenses of the children. As parents, are we allowed to use this money for extra monthly expenses to run the family? Normally we earn 1400€ as our monthly salary. If we have three children, sometimes we are in need of that money. Someone said that it is for the children only therefore we should not use that money. Please clarify and explain the ruling of parents using the money of children who are under their guardianship. Jazakallah Khairan. Wa alaikumus salam.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name Of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Answer:

In general, children can own wealth, and it can be placed in the care of the parents to look after and spend on their children. It would then need to be returned to the child, who is the rightful owner when they are old enough. This is due to Allah (swt)’s saying:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا

“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due.” (Surah An-Nisa, Verse 58)

Your question is regarding the benefits given to the parents in France. France gives money to parents to offset the cost associated with having a family, as described in the following link:

https://www.cleiss.fr/docs/regimes/regime_france/an_4.html

These benefits are means-tested and take into consideration the number of children in the family, as well as income etc.

The money is not given in the ownership of the children, but rather to the parents to take care of their family. According to Islam, it is the duty of the father to provide for his family, and if he requires aid from the State, there is no problem with that.[1]

Only Allah knows best

Written by Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] Raddul Muhtaar, Volume 3, Page 612