What is the sharia ruling on an individual who accepts aid from churches such as food, clothing or monthly stipends for him and his Muslim family? He resides in a European country for the purpose of study and receives a monthly salary from his home country that meets both his demands and that of his family. Is his food and clothing unlawful and what should he do?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, accepted the gifts of non-Muslims. Therefore, if the aid offered by the church is not prohibited in itself like wine or (the flesh of) swine or that it does not cause the one accepting it to compromise any part of his religion, then there is nothing wrong with accepting it.

If the support mentioned in this case is permissible, the ruling is clear. Otherwise, if the gift is prohibited in itself or causes him to commit a prohibited matter, then it is your responsibility to forbid this evil according to the command of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who said, as narrated by Abu Sa‘eed : “Whoever amongst you sees an evil, must change it with his hand. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue and if he is still unable to do so, then with his heart and that is the weakest form of faith.” [Muslim, At-Tirmithi, An-Nisaa’i, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah and Ahmad].

There is no doubt that it is better for him to refrain from accepting such aid as long as he is not in need it.

Allaah Knows best.