Inheritance from haraam money

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Recently one of my cousins passed away leaving a big sum of money. He earned 100% of his money in a haram way. His son is very pious and he wants to know whether he can take that money to do a business. Is it haram or halal?

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Answer:

Inheritance from haraam money

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Brother if your cousin inherits money that he knows belongs to someone else then he should make an honest attempt to return it to their rightful owners.

Otherwise the onus of earning haraam income will lie on the person who earned it. If your cousin does not need the inheritance it is best to give it away in charity if he is 100% sure that it was earned from whom he received it in a haraam way. The other option is he can use the money for his halaal business and when he earns enough he can give away his inheritance amount to charity if he wishes.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

 

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