Dear Ulama Ikram,Assalamualaikkum. I’m a lecturer in a government aided college.Recently the state government has released UGC [University Grants commision ] arrears due to me since 1996.Of this a substantial portion is stated to be interest for the accumulated amount. Some six months back my father met with a near fatal accident,but with allah’s grace is recovering now. The medical expenditure was huge and well beyond my current means and was met from borrowings from friends and loans from banks. Can I utilise this interest amount from the UGC arrears to defray the medical expenditure incurred for reasons that (i) I’m still indebted to my friends and am yet to repay them? (ii)The income tax that I have paid and will be paying this financial year is greater than the UGC arrear intrest paid to me by the government? I’m in a confused state. Enlighten me and pray that allah gives me the thoufeeq to follow his laws in letter and sprit at any cost. Jazzakallahu Khair.
Answer
(Fatwa: 126/159=D/1429)
(1) It is unlawful to use interest in medical expenses and in repaying debts.
(2) Yes, it can be spent in income tax paid to the government.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband