Q: A concerned parent has contacted the Jamiat with regards to the following:
He had paid Orient Islamic School the non refundable admission fee of R1000.00 on the acceptance of his child in the school. However, the child did not attend the school. In light of the above, along with the contents of the attached agreement drawn up by the school, is the school obligated to refund the money? If yes, is there any alternative that can be suggested so that the school may cover it’s expenses? Your input will be highly appreciated.
A: It seems to us that this amount is charged only to gain surety that the student would present himself at school, for the same amount is credited to his fee account in the event that he attends school.
Hence, taking a non-refundable amount as a surety is not correct according to us. This amount should be returned to the parent.
عن عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده أنه قال نهى رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم عن بيع العربان قال مالك وذلك فيما نرى والله أعلم أن يشترى الرجل العبد أو يتكارى الدابة ثم يقول أعطيك دينارا على أنى إن تركت السلعة أو الكراء فما أعطيتك لك (سنن أبي داود رقم 3504)
كتاب الوديعة … فإن طلبها صاحبها فمنعها وهو يقدر عل تسليمها ضمنها لأنه متعد بالمنع وهذا لأنه لما طالبه لم يكن راضيا بإمساكه بعده فيضمنه بحبسه عنه (الهداية 3/ 273)
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)