Q: I was legitimately claiming help with medical costs from the UK government for years. They assess whether you are eligible, by asking for details about your income and savings. Then in 2017 my father deposited some money in my account, and told me it is for his future investment. It wasn’t my savings. In order to cover up this money, I lied when asked about my savings. I received help as usual, for two years in which I told untruths to the government. Now Allah has shown me the error of my ways. I understand lying is deplorable and I am feeling full guilt for claiming in an unlawful way. It does say that claiming wrongly can earn a penalty, so i fear that my lies mean I owe them money. Rest assured, however, I was still eligible for help with costs as my real circumstances hadn’t changed. My question is: do I have to pay back the medical costs? I don’t have the money to pay all of those costs I claimed help with. Yet I’m afraid this counts as debt and I won’t get into jannah.
A: Since the money was your father’s then the help you received was legitimate. I suggest that you close the account straightaway for your own respect and integrity.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)