Does government compensation for losses belong to the one who commissioned or to the proxy?

Question

Zayd and his wife went on Hajj, and Zayd took ‘Abdullah and his wife with him to perform Hajj badal (proxy Hajj) for his father and his late wife. During the Hajj a fire accident occurred, and they suffered some loss. After the completion of Hajj, the Saudi government announced that the pilgrims who had suffered loss in the fire would receive, by way of aid, one thousand rupees for every pilgrim. With great effort ‘Abdullah obtained that aid money.

Answer

If the property that ‘Abdullah and his wife lost in this accident was their own, then this money should be treated as compensation for it and one thousand each should be given to both of them. If the property lost was what Zayd had given them, or what had been bought with the money given by Zayd, then this money is Zayd’s, and ‘Abdullah and his wife ought not to claim it.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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