Is Receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) Permissible in Islam?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I am a disabled individual receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) in the U.S. Since SSDI funds may involve investments that include interest, is it permissible for me to accept these payments?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Yes, it is permissible to accept these funds. Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is funded by taxes previously paid by you and the public, along with government support for its citizens. [al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya; Khadimi, Bariqa Mahmudiyya]

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha’ Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.

Related: Is It Halal to Take Financial Support from the Government?

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.

Arabic References:

(وَفِي بُسْتَانِ الْعَارِفِينَ اخْتَلَفَ النَّاسُ فِي أَخْذِ الْجَائِزَةِ مِنْ السُّلْطَانِ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: يَجُوزُ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ يُعْطِيهِ مِنْ الْحَرَامِ.وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: لَا يَجُوزُ) مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ يُعْطِيهِ مِنْ الْحَلَالِ لِكَوْنِ مَا فِي يَدِهِ حَرَامًا فِي الْعَادَةِ (أَمَّا مَنْ أَجَازَهُ فَقَدْ ذَهَبَ إلَى مَا رُوِيَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ كَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ إنَّ السُّلْطَانَ) الْجَائِرَ (يُصِيبُ مِنْ الْحَلَالِ وَالْحَرَامِ فَمَا أَعْطَاك فَخُذْ فَإِنَّمَا يُعْطِي مِنْ الْحَلَالِ) ؛ لِأَنَّهُ مَلَكَهُ بِالْخَلْطِ عَلَى أَصْلِ أَبِي حَنِيفَةَ (وَرَوَى عُمَرُ) – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَنْهُ – (عَنْ النَّبِيِّ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – أَنَّهُ قَالَ «مَنْ أُعْطِيَ شَيْئًا مِنْ غَيْرِ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَلْيَأْخُذْهُ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ رِزْقٌ رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى» [بريقة محمودية في شرح طريقة محمدية وشريعة نبوية]

قال الفقيه أبو الليث – رحمه الله تعالى – اختلف الناس في أخذ الجائزة من السلطان قال بعضهم يجوز ما لم يعلم أنه يعطيه من حرام قال محمد – رحمه الله تعالى – وبه نأخذ ما لم نعرف شيئا حراما بعينه ، وهو قول أبي حنيفة – رحمه الله تعالى – وأصحابه ، كذا في الظهيرية . [الفتاوى الهندية]