Is the money with which I founded my current company unlawful, knowing that I worked for myself while working for a previous company, and that the previous company withheld a commission of 42,400 pounds from me?

The question addresses three matters:

1. Earnings from private work during original work hours: It is impermissible for a private employee to work for himself during his original work hours, as this deprives the employer of benefit and causes him harm. If he does so, the employer is entitled to the value of the benefit he was deprived of.

2. Profit from unlawfully acquired money: There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding the ruling on profit derived from money acquired unlawfully.

3. Employer's injustice to an employee by withholding his right: In this case, the employee is permitted to take his right secretly if he finds no other means, which is known as the issue of al-Zafar (taking one's right by force/stealth).