Ruling on collecting money for a specific purpose and spending it on something else
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There is what is known as the "Winter Blanket", and some charitable organizations collect and distribute them to some Muslims living in cold areas. These organizations collect what is known as the Winter Blanket to keep Muslims warm. Is it possible to expand this scope? Since the intention is to keep the Muslim warm, in some places there are poor people who need, for example, winter clothing, or they need "gas stoves" or similar items for heating. So, that is purchased from the funds collected for buying blankets, because the intention is one and the same, which is keeping the Muslim warm?
It is better that the expression for this organization be: "Winter Aid",If it is said: "Winter Aid" is suitable for blankets, clothes, gas stoves, and others, so it is best that the slogan for collecting from these people be adjusted,It is said: "Winter Aid", or "Winter Protection", for example.
As for what is collected for a specific purpose, it is not permissible to spend it except on that specific purpose, unless it becomes unused. So, if we collect Winter Blankets for a village, and they are satisfied with half the amount, and they need clothes or heating, then there is no harm in that. But if it is general and people are in need of blankets, then it is not permissible to spend it on another direction.
The questioner: But some people need clothes for heating,And they do not need the blankets! The Shaykh: Yes;But the slogan or title for which it was collected is: The blanket, and people are in need of it.
The questioner: But the meaning is the same if the blankets are replaced with something else! The Shaykh: It is never appropriate.
Unless it is well-known among people that the meaning of Winter Blanket is: Winter Aid, and for this reason the slogan is adjusted from now on,And it is said: Winter Aid, or something similar.
It is better that the expression for this organization be: "Winter Aid",If it is said: "Winter Aid" is suitable for blankets, clothes, gas stoves, and others, so it is best that the slogan for collecting from these people be adjusted,It is said: "Winter Aid", or "Winter Protection", for example.
As for what is collected for a specific purpose, it is not permissible to spend it except on that specific purpose, unless it becomes unused. So, if we collect Winter Blankets for a village, and they are satisfied with half the amount, and they need clothes or heating, then there is no harm in that. But if it is general and people are in need of blankets, then it is not permissible to spend it on another direction.
The questioner: But some people need clothes for heating,And they do not need the blankets! The Shaykh: Yes;But the slogan or title for which it was collected is: The blanket, and people are in need of it.
The questioner: But the meaning is the same if the blankets are replaced with something else! The Shaykh: It is never appropriate.
Unless it is well-known among people that the meaning of Winter Blanket is: Winter Aid, and for this reason the slogan is adjusted from now on,And it is said: Winter Aid, or something similar.