I repented to Allah, and I have money that I earned from what is forbidden, and it is impossible for me to return it to its owner. What should I do with it? And if I give it in charity, what is the position of the person who receives it?
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The questioner : This is a questioner from the Arab Republic of Egypt, named Mamdouh. He says: I repented to Allah, and I have money that I earned from what is forbidden, and it is impossible for me to return it to its owner. What should I do with it? And if I give it in charity, what is the position of the person who receives it if he knows that this money is forbidden? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment. This money that was earned from what is forbidden, if it was taken from its owner by force, such as stolen, usurped, or looted property, and the like, and he knows who the owner is, then he must deliver it to its owner under any circumstances, whatever the outcome, because this is the specific right of a known Muslim. So he must deliver it to him by any means, either through a trustworthy person, or through the post, or by any means. This is necessary.
As for if the owner is not known, for example, if this man took money from many people but does not know who they are, then in that case, he gives it in charity to rid himself of it on behalf of its owners, and they are known to Allah the Exalted.
As for the person who receives the charity, it is lawful for him, and there is no blame on him regarding it, because he is like the one who gave it to him; he does not know its owner, so it is lawful for him. This is if it was taken without the owner's consent.
As for if it was taken with the owner's consent, such as if it was through usurious transactions or the like of things that are contracted with the owner's permission but are forbidden by the Shari'ah, then he does not return it to its owner, but he gives it in charity to rid himself of it, and he does not intend it on behalf of its owner either, but he intends only to rid himself of it. And it is lawful for the person to whom it is given in charity. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment. This money that was earned from what is forbidden, if it was taken from its owner by force, such as stolen, usurped, or looted property, and the like, and he knows who the owner is, then he must deliver it to its owner under any circumstances, whatever the outcome, because this is the specific right of a known Muslim. So he must deliver it to him by any means, either through a trustworthy person, or through the post, or by any means. This is necessary.
As for if the owner is not known, for example, if this man took money from many people but does not know who they are, then in that case, he gives it in charity to rid himself of it on behalf of its owners, and they are known to Allah the Exalted.
As for the person who receives the charity, it is lawful for him, and there is no blame on him regarding it, because he is like the one who gave it to him; he does not know its owner, so it is lawful for him. This is if it was taken without the owner's consent.
As for if it was taken with the owner's consent, such as if it was through usurious transactions or the like of things that are contracted with the owner's permission but are forbidden by the Shari'ah, then he does not return it to its owner, but he gives it in charity to rid himself of it, and he does not intend it on behalf of its owner either, but he intends only to rid himself of it. And it is lawful for the person to whom it is given in charity. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.