Insurance

Question:

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum.

Thank you for the great service you provide for the Ummah.

I need your advice on a matter that has been troubling me. My mom is a non-Muslim living in the US. A few years ago, she took out a life insurance on herself and she made my sisters and I the beneficiaries, but I found out only recently. Her intention really is that her funeral expenses and debts would be covered and if there is anything left over, her children would get something.

Is it haram for me to receive any of this money? I was thinking of asking her to take my name off, but I know that would hurt her so I've decided to let it be. But whenever the time comes, I can tell my sisters I can't take anything if that money is haram for me. Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Answer (Dr. Monzer Kahf):