Does the ruling on disposing of ill-gotten wealth differ based on its source, and what is the correct opinion regarding how to dispose of it after repentance?
There are various forms and cases of ill-gotten wealth:
1. That which is inherently unlawful ( li-dhatihi): It must be destroyed, and it is not permissible to benefit from it in any way.
2. That which is taken unjustly without the owner's consent: It must be returned to its owner or their heirs. If this is not possible, it should be given as charity on their behalf.
3. That which is acquired out of ignorance or misinterpretation: It is not necessary to dispose of it after repentance, based on the Almighty's saying: ﴿So whoever receives an admonition from his Lord and desists, he may have what has already passed.﴾ (2:275)
4. That which is acquired knowingly with the owner's consent (such as through corrupt contracts): It is not to be returned to its owner. It is advisable to give it as charity if the owner is wealthy, or to benefit from it if one is poor or if giving it as charity would deter them from repenting.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 23200
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy