Haraam income

An income which is earned through a means prohibited by the Sharī'ah is termed as "Haraam income". For example : money acquired through interest, horse racing, lottery, gambling in casinos and by stealing are all Haraam.

A Haraam income must be disposed of as soon as possible. If the rightful owner may be located, the money should be restituted to him and if the owner is not available, then to his or her heirs. However, if this is not possible, the Haraam income must be given away to people who are in extreme need. For example, a person who is seriously ill and has to be treated abroad but cannot afford the expenses, is considered a person in extreme need. The income may be given away to him/her.

However, when disposing of Haraam income by assisting a needy person, one must never do so with the intention of seeking Thawaab. It is destructive to one's Imaan to use Haraam money for charity, Khairat (benevolence work) and other charitable work with the intention of Sawaab.

According to the ‘Ulama, such a person may become a Kaafir. This also applies to a person who builds a Masjid or a Madrassah with Haraam income with the intention of Sawaab. If a person wins the lottery and decides to do a Khatam and invite people at his house for a meal, both the host and those accepting such an invitation should be very cautious. It is a matter of Deen and Imaan that one may lose foolishly.

May Allah Ta'aala protect us all from this! Ameen

[English version of "Revenue haraam" - Al Jamiat - Vol.5 No.11]