Forcing parents to pay for a schools air-conditioners

Q. I received a letter from the principal of my children’s school saying that parents should pay R3000.00 for the air conditioners that are going to be installed at the school, otherwise, my son will not be allowed to write exams. Is it permissible for the principal of the school to force parents to pay for the air conditioners in this way, despite them not agreeing to it?

A. In principle, for a transaction to be valid, the agreement and mutual consent of the seller and purchaser on the transaction of an item or commodity is necessary.

Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Quran:

“Oh you who believe, do not devour each other‘s property by false means, unless it is trade conducted with your mutual consent” (Nisaa 4-29)

Hence, the seller and purchaser cannot be forced or pressurized on selling or purchasing an item. If such a transaction takes place, the transaction is null and void.

Accordingly, you may approach the authorities of the school and express your disapproval of agreeing to such a transaction. As such, they should try to accommodate you and your children at the school.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com