Ash-Shaykh Bin Baz rahimahullah was asked the following question,

إذا اكتسب الشخص مالًا من الكسب الحرام، ثم تاب إلى الله وعرف أن ذلك حرام، فماذا يفعل بالأموال التي من الكسب الحرام؟

Question:

“If a person earned wealth from an unlawful income, however repented to Allah and came to know that it was haram, what should he do with the wealth that is from an unlawful source?”

الجواب: إذا كان عن جهالة فله ما سلف، وأمره إلى الله، قال الله جل وعلا: وَأَحَلَّ اللّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا فَمَن جَاءهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىَ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ [البقرة:275].

Answer:

“If this occurred as a result of ignorance, then he may have what has passed [i.e. from previous earnings] and his affair is with Allah. Allah, The Most High, said,

‘Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Riba (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Riba (usury) shall have what has passed; his case is for Allah (to judge); but whoever returns [to Riba (usury)], such are the dwellers of the Fire – they will abide therein.’ [2:275]

فإذا كان جاهلًا فله ما سلف، أما إذا كان عالمًا ويتساهل فليتصدق بالكسب الحرام. إذا كان نصف أمواله أو ثلثها أو ربعها كسب حرام، يتصدق به على الفقراء والمساكين،

Therefore, if he was ignorant [concerning the ruling of his action], he may have what has passed. As for if he knew the ruling and he became lenient [in the matter], he should give the unlawful earnings in charity. If it is for example half of his wealth or a third of it or a quarter of it is from an unlawful source, he should give it in charity upon the poor and needy

أما إذا كان جاهلًا لا يعلم ثم علم وتاب إلى الله، فله ما سلف

As for if he was ignorant and didn’t have knowledge then came to know and repented to Allah, he could have what has passed. [i.e from previous earnings].” End translation. [Reference]

Translated by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr