My cousin joined _____ Maths in November. We paid his fees for November and December. In DECEMBER he only went for one week lesson and they gave him books for the rest of the month. In January he did not attend any classes and joined another remedial school. _____ is now claiming January fees. They claim we signed a contract which states we must give them one months notice. We did not give them this notice. I told them we did not attend the school so we don’t owe them any money. What is the sharia ruling on this matter. We did sign the contract.
Prematurely Terminating A Contract
Question
Answer
In Shariah, it will not be permissible for one to terminate the contract prematurely without the consent and approval of the other party as a contract is a type of agreement from both sides and it could only be terminated after it is concluded or by mutual agreement.
In the enquired case, you will be obliged to pay the fees for January, since you did not terminate the contract and the monthly contract renewed automatically.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
قال: “وتفسخ الإجارة بالأعذار” عندنا.( الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي ٢٤٧:٣ دار احياء التراث العربي – بيروت – لبنان)
الإجارة تنتقض بالأعذار عندنا وذلك على وجوه اما ان كان من قبل أحد المتعاقدين أو من قبل المعقود عليه واذا تحقق العذر ذكر في بعض الروايات أن الإجارة تنتقض في بعضها قال لا تنتقض ومشايخنا رحمهم الله تعالى وفقوا فقالوا ان كانت الاجارة لغرض فلم يبق ذلك الغرض أو كان عذرا يمنعه من الجري على موجب العقد شرعنا تنتقض الاجارة من غير نقض كما لو استأجر انسانا لقطعن يده عند وقوع الأكلة أو لقلع السن عند الوجع فبرأت الاكلة وزال الوجع تنتقض الاجارة لانه لا يمكنه الجري على موجب العقد شرعا…( فتاوى قاضيخان ١٩٢:٢ الشاملة الذهبية)
Darul Ifta - Darul Uloom Azaadville - Madrasah Arabia Islamia