Things bought by Haram money
Fatwa No: 86665

Question

My mother was working in a Haram work. So, her money is Haram.
Now, the problem is that from this money she bought lot of things for the house. For example, she bought a bed for my father and a washing clothes machine. Now, I'm saying to myself if my father doesn't sleep on this bed he won't be able to go to work. The same thing for washing machine if he doesn't wash his clothes he can't go with dirty clothes. So I make a link between the bed and the washing machine and his work.
So, Am I right or wrong thinking like that? My father's money is it Haram or Halal? From what should I live if his money is Haram? What would I do?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. We pray to Allah, The Almighty that He may forgive your mother for eating up Haram (unlawful food, drink, clothes, and other properties), for to consume Haram has catastrophic consequences. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessing be upon him) said: Any human body that is nourished with Haram (unlawfully acquired food and drink, etc.) is worth (being thrown in) the Hellfire. [Narrated by At-Tabarani and Abu Nu'aim ]. He who acquires Haram property, money, etc, has to get rid of it through giving it in charity or in some projects beneficial for Muslims, and repent to Allah, The Exalted, from consuming Haram. Any furniture item your mother bought, such as a bed, washer, etc, are to be evaluated and atoned for-by paying their value for charitable purposes. There is no blame in using these items, for it is their value (price) with which they were bought which is to be the fixed debt incurred on your mother, not the items themselves. There is no relation between the validity of your father's earning and his sleep and the use of such items as far as his work is permissible, but we would like to draw your attention that he is to be held accountable before Allah for not stopping your mother form dealing in Haram. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Each and everyone among you is a trustee and will be held accountable for his trust…. A man is entrusted for his household and will be accountable for his trust. We would like to also point out the fact that it is forbidden to eat from anything your mother unlawfully acquires. We pray to Allah, The Almighty for success and steadfastness for you and us. Allah knows best.

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