Fatwa: #285
Country : New Zealand
Question:
I have a question regarding the ownership of Working for Families (WFF) tax credits in New Zealand and how they should be treated according to Islamic law. Suppose a married couple has children. The husband is working and earning the family’s income, while the wife stays at home and looks after the children. The family receives Working for Families payments from the New Zealand Government because they have dependent children. My question is: who would be considered the owner of these WFF payments from an Islamic perspective? Please explain. Jazakum Allahu khayran
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaramah
We have received your query regarding Working for Families tax credits, our response is as follows:
The four types of Working for Families payments are:
- Family tax credit
- In-work tax credit
- Best Start
- Minimum family tax credit
Working for Families is a New Zealand government scheme that provides financial assistance and tax credits to help people raise dependent children.
Working with families tax credit is received primarily due to having dependent children, but eligibility and payment amounts depend on a combination of the number of children, family income, and the working hours of the parent/guardian.
Working for Families tax credits is usually transferred to the principal caregiver (the parent or adult caring for the child), not the child. Thus, the parent that receives the amount will be termed as the owner of the wealth according to Shariah. [1]
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
Muhammad Irshad Motara
15th Rabiul Thani 1448
27th September 2026
[1] References:
كتاب الهبة: اما تفسيرها شرعا فهي تمليك عين بلا عوض كذا في الكنز، واما ركنها فقول الواهب وهبت لأنه تمليك وانما يتم بالمالك وحده… (و بعد اسطر) منها (شرائط الهبة) ان يكون الموهوب مقبوضا حتى لا يثبت الملك للموهوب له قبل القبض
(الفتاوي الهندية ج ٤، ص ٣٧٤-رشيدية)
.. وانها لا تبطل بالشروط الفاسدة حتي لو وهي الرجل عبده على ان يعتقه صحت الهبة و بطل الشرط كذا في البحر الرائق
(الفتاوي الهندية ج ٤، ص ٣٧٤-رشيدية)
وَالْأَصْلُ فِي هَذَا أَنَّ كُلَّ عَقْدٍ مِنْ شَرْطِهِ الْقَبْضُ فَإِنَّ الشَّرْطَ لَا يُفْسِدُهُ كَالْهِبَةِ وَالرَّهْنِ، كَذَا فِي السِّرَاجِ الْوَهَّاجِ
(الفتاوي الهندية ج ٤، ص ٣٩٦-رشيدية)
(رد المحتار: ج ٥، ص ٦٨٨-سعيد)
(شرح المجلة لمحمد اتاسي: ج ١، ص١٩٤-١٩٦-المكتبة الحقانية)
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2026-03/In-work%20tax%20credit%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
(above websites last assessed on 27/09/26)