A man took money from people of good to help him with marriage, and the money increased. Does he return it to those who gave it to him, or does he dispose of it in a way that helps him with his religious and worldly affairs?
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The questioner : He says: A man took money from people of good to help him with marriage, and the money increased. Does he return it to those who gave it to him, or does he dispose of it in a way that helps him with his religious and worldly affairs?
The Shaykh : The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) say that charity is permissible even for the rich. If those who gave him the money gave it to him as charity, then it is his, and he may dispose of it as he wishes. If those who gave him the money gave it to him from zakah for this specific purpose, namely the purpose of marriage, then he must return the excess to them because he has no need for it. If he needs it for something else, such as furnishing the house, for example, let him seek their permission. He says, "The mahr and what is related to the marriage is finished, and I have money left over, but I need other things. Do you permit me to spend it on them?" If they say yes, there is no harm; otherwise, he returns it to them. The principle for us in this matter is that whoever takes money from people for a specific purpose must not spend it on anything else without seeking their permission.
The Shaykh : The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) say that charity is permissible even for the rich. If those who gave him the money gave it to him as charity, then it is his, and he may dispose of it as he wishes. If those who gave him the money gave it to him from zakah for this specific purpose, namely the purpose of marriage, then he must return the excess to them because he has no need for it. If he needs it for something else, such as furnishing the house, for example, let him seek their permission. He says, "The mahr and what is related to the marriage is finished, and I have money left over, but I need other things. Do you permit me to spend it on them?" If they say yes, there is no harm; otherwise, he returns it to them. The principle for us in this matter is that whoever takes money from people for a specific purpose must not spend it on anything else without seeking their permission.