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Fatwa CenterSpending money on other than it was donated for
Question
Hi. My family is poor, and they do not have a regularly income. They were in need of two beds and a little table. So they asked the government to give them some financial aid, and some people from the government visited the house to see the situation. They approved the aid and gave the family 500 dollars. They said that they could use 200x2 for two beds and 100 dollars for a table. The family did not buy these things because they used it on food to break their fast during Ramadan. Before that, the family used to spend 300-400 dollars on food to break their fast. So when the aid to take care of basic needs (such as tables and beds) came, the family did not used it for that and instead spent in on food for Ramadan. Is that haram? Is that haram money? They used the money for something different, and if the government were to know that they did not buy the prescribed things (two beds and a table), they could punish the family. So is that considered cheating? And what about the fact that this was done during Ramadan? Is that haram?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
What your family did of spending the donated money for other than the specified purpose is impermissible. It is obligatory on the beneficiary to abide by the conditions stipulated by the donor. The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “Muslims are bound by their conditions.” [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi; Al-Bukhaari narrated it with an omitted chain of narrators.]
Al-Qaasim ibn Muhammad 
said, “I have only come upon people who keep the conditions which they make about their property and what they are given.” [Maalik in Al-Muwatta']
This action is impermissible during Ramadhaan and at any other time; however, the sinfulness is more emphasized during blessed times than at others.
Therefore, your family is obliged to repent to Allah and either return the money to the government if they do not really need the two beds and table or buy them if they do need them.
Allah knows best.
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