Question:
Assalamualaikum wrm.wbt.,
What is the ruling of a person using his scholarship money which is supposed to be used for his education for the necessity of his poor parents?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrm. wbt.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
It is permissible to use the scholarship money for a person’s parents because the money’s ownership is given to the person and he has the right to use it as he wishes or the right of al-tasarruf. This is different from the usage of education voucher issued by the government which is only applicable to buy books. Thus, the issue of abuse of trust and dishonesty is inapplicable. Especially in the situation where his parents are sick, poor or in dire need, then it is the responsibility of the child, regardless whether it is a male or female after the child has fulfilled the necessities for himself to help his parents and it is a form of ihsan.
Refer Al-Mu’tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Syafie (4/290-294); Fiqh al-Manhaji (4/173-175)
Hence, in our opinion, the scholarship money should first be used for the obligations of his education such as for the fees and other obligatory costs for his education, then for his necessities, afterwards, if there is excess then it can be given to his parents.
Wallahua’lam.