Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
Question:
Is the child benefit which the country gives, the money of the child, meaning the parents have to save it for them or can they also use it? The money (child benefit) is given to support the parents in the expenditure of the children.
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathabah Institute.
The child benefit is usually a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible
families to help them with the cost of raising children. Therefore, it is ideal to set aside these amounts to pay for child related expenses. If some of the
funds are used for the parent’s or guardian’s basic necessities (such as rent
and food), that is islamicaly acceptable. Parents receiving the child benefit
should not deplete the funds on personal unnecessary activities such as
personal luxury or vacations.
A Qurʾānic verse related to guardians of orphans and children advises as
follows:
“Whoever (amongst guardians) is wealthy, they should refrain from
taking from the children’s wealth, but if they are poor, let them have
for themselves what is just and reasonable.” – (Qurʾān 4:6) 1
Only Allāh knows best
وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيًّا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيرًا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ – سورة النساء ٦
