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What is the ruling on money received by a refugee in Europe as financial aid contingent on seeking employment, but he does not search and instead writes down names of stores, claiming he inquired with their owners about vacancies without actually doing so, especially since part of it is paid as house rent? Is it permissible to give it as charity, or buy an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) with it, or marry with it? And what is the ruling on what was previously spent from it on food, clothing, and other necessities?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

A Muslim must fulfill covenants and conditions. If he enters a disbelieving country under their protection, he must be upright in his dealings and refrain from treachery or betrayal. It is not permissible to take funds from granting bodies except according to their conditions; otherwise, it is considered deceit and betrayal. If the condition for the grant is to seek employment, then serious effort must be made to find a job, and prohibited work is not considered valid employment. There is no obligation to work for less than the customary wage. Whoever takes money through deceit must repent and return the money to its rightful owners. If he is unable to do so due to fear or having spent it, he should donate it as charity. If he is poor and in need, he may take from it what suffices his needs. The marriage of someone who spent this money on himself or his marriage is valid, along with the obligation to repent and restore rights.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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