What is the ruling on the money the questioner received as a housing allowance, given her knowledge that her husband was receiving a housing allowance from his own employer, and must she return this money, and how is the increase in its value calculated if it is returned, and can her other entitlements that she has not received (such as furnishing allowance, children's tickets, and maternity leave) be deducted from this amount?

If the contracting party does not provide tickets and outfitting allowance, it is permissible to take the equivalent from the housing allowance. This is known as the issue of "az-zafar" (taking one's right by force or stratagem), provided that it does not lead to harm or scandal. However, if the contract stipulates that a housing allowance will not be given to someone whose husband receives a housing allowance, then it is not permissible to use stratagem to obtain it. This right must be relinquished by returning it to the party from whom it was taken, along with returning an equivalent amount of what was taken, not the actual items or projects. If the contract does not stipulate this, then there is no harm in taking the housing allowance in the aforementioned manner, even if it involves lying and submitting incorrect documents, because lying is permissible if it becomes the only way to attain a right.