Answered by Shaykh Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf Mangera
I have to pay a certain sum in insurance every year. I had to pay a bill recently for some work to the flat because of a leak. My mum contacted the insurance company and they sent a check for the amount. The amount is far less than what I have paid them over the last 10 years in insurance payments. Can I accept the money? If i can, is it best not to, or to donate it to charity?
Assalamu alaykum
OK, following on from this [see Related Q&A, re: insurance]
In the name of the Inspirer of the truth
This money can be accepted as long as it is from the same insurance company he has paid over the years, as long as the payment to him does not exceed the total premiums he has paid to them. Any extra would have to be disposed in charity.
And Allah knows best.
The ruling here is based on the principle that it was unlawfully given and now up to the same amount can be taken back.
Abdurrahman