A worker was given an opportunity to increase his income, but through a forbidden means, namely by increasing the price of the goods for the buyer and taking that amount for himself, and he has repented to Allah.
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The questioner : The following question is from a listener in the Arab Republic of Egypt, whose name is indicated by the letters E and G. He says: I was working in Iraq for one of the companies distributing certain food products. I was given the opportunity to increase my income, but through an unlawful means, which was to increase the price of the goods for the buyer. I would take this increase for myself and give the company the fixed amount. I remained in this state for several months until I accumulated a considerable sum. However, I was not at ease with that income, and my conscience severely reproached me. I returned to my country, Egypt, after repenting to Allah with a sincere repentance. After my return, my parents asked me to arrange for them to be taken to the sacred sites for Hajj, as well as to cover the expenses of Hajj and the visit. I found it extremely difficult to refuse their request, and I was too shy to reveal the truth to them, namely that my money is mixed with what is forbidden. They might not believe me, and something else might be attributed to me. Is it permissible for me to fulfill their request, and what is obligatory for me regarding what I have mentioned?
The Shaykh : It appears to us from his question that the man realized that he had done something forbidden and that he has repented to Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : However, this repentance is related to the right of a created being. Repentance related to the right of a created being is not sincere until one delivers the right to that created being. Therefore, you must search for those people from whom you took an increase over what the company had set, and you must pay them this increase, because you took it without right. If you do not know them now and you cannot find them, then you must give in charity the amount you took, to rid yourself of it, not to draw near to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, thereby it. By doing so, you will be free of your liability and rid yourself of this sin in your lifetime. We ask Allah for success for us and for you.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
This questioner, Hamida Salem Muhammad from Benghazi, Libya, sent two questions.
The Shaykh : It appears to us from his question that the man realized that he had done something forbidden and that he has repented to Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : However, this repentance is related to the right of a created being. Repentance related to the right of a created being is not sincere until one delivers the right to that created being. Therefore, you must search for those people from whom you took an increase over what the company had set, and you must pay them this increase, because you took it without right. If you do not know them now and you cannot find them, then you must give in charity the amount you took, to rid yourself of it, not to draw near to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, thereby it. By doing so, you will be free of your liability and rid yourself of this sin in your lifetime. We ask Allah for success for us and for you.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
This questioner, Hamida Salem Muhammad from Benghazi, Libya, sent two questions.