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What is the ruling on a mother continuing to receive the social security assistance allocated to widows while she is married, with her children's knowledge, and is it obligatory to inform the competent authorities if she insists on taking it, and what is the consequence of that and the reward for abandoning it?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is not permissible for a married woman to take assistance designated for unmarried women, even if her husband does not spend on her. Rather, she should demand maintenance from him or complain about him to the judiciary. She must inform the responsible authorities of her situation. If they permit her, it is permissible; otherwise, it is not. She is obligated to return what she previously took after her marriage, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The hand is responsible for what it took until it returns it." Public money is even more sacred, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, there are men who delve into Allah's money without right, and for them is the Fire on the Day of Resurrection." Therefore, the mother must fear Allah and absolve herself of what she took without right. If she does not respond, there is no harm in informing the responsible authorities.

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

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