Q: Rent received from a house left in inheritance, the inheritors are:
wife
three baaligh sons and
one na-baaligh daughter
...all are living together presently sharing in the household items and meals together.
1. Can this rent money be used to buy all the groceries monthly? Can it be used to pay water and electricity bill?
2. When the sons marry and live on their own... and if the wife is left with one baaligh son and the na-baaligh daughter, how will the rent money be used correctly to fulfill the rights of all the heirs properly?
3. Sassa money, social grant from the government for two children, one is baaligh and one is not baaligh... It comes under the mothers responsibility for the children... Is it sinful for the mother to use some money from there for the household needs like food or house-hold cleaning items like washing powder or detergents?
4. Money kept in Al barakah bank for two children, one baaligh and one not baaligh... On a three month investment account which has profits every three month...the money is kept there for safe-keeping as the children are still minor to handle their own money in saving it... Is it OK if it's kept in the bank and the time it's needed and withdrawn then the profits on the original amount be given as charity... or is it better to just withdraw the money and close the bank account?
A:
1 & 2) The rent should be distributed among the heirs according to their stipulated shares of inheritance. Thereafter, each heir may use his share as he wishes. If they wish to contribute towards the running expenses of the home (purchasing groceries, paying for the lights and water, etc.), then with mutual understanding among themselves, they may do so. The money of the non baaligh heirs may only be used for their own needs. Without a genuine need, their money should not be used for the running expenses of the home.
3) If the grant is given for the children, then it should only be used for their needs. It should not be used for anything else.
4) The investments of these Islamic banks are non-transparent. Hence, it is best for one not to benefit from the profits that accrue from these investments. One should rather terminate the investment and keep the money in a savings account in the bank where the money can be withdrawn at any time.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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