Haram Money

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

If someone lent somebody halal money and the person returns the money from a haram source. Is it okay to accept that money?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Yes, you can take the money from them. In general, when someone acquires money we don’t look at the actual bank notes. We look at the money that is in his possession, some of which could be from a halal source. You can assume that the repaid to you was from an alternative halal source. (Usmani, Fiqh al Buyu’)

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, told us, “Love for people what you would love for yourself.” (Ibn Majah) Being safe from the punishment for such activities is something everyone would want for themselves. Therefore, if you think it will make a difference, try advising this person in a gentle, understanding manner.

You never know, maybe your words will have a positive effect on them. Regardless, you should pray for such a person to be given the ability to get out of that situation.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 to study and sit at the feet of some of the most erudite scholars of our time.

Over the following eighteen months he studied a traditional curriculum, studying with scholars such as Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh Abdurrahman Arjan, Shaykh Hussain Darwish and Shaykh Muhammad Darwish.

In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years, in Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Shama’il, and Logic with teachers such as Dr Ashraf Muneeb, Dr Salah Abu’l-Hajj, Dr Hamza al-Bakri, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Dr Mansur Abu Zina amongst others. He was also given two licences of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital by Shakh Samir Jabr and Shaykh Yahya Qandil.

His true passion, however, arose in the presence of Shaykh Ali Hani, considered by many to be one of the foremost tafsir scholars of our time who provided him with the keys to the vast knowledge of the Quran. With Shaykh Ali, he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic Sciences, Tafsir, Arabic Grammar, and Rhetoric.

When he finally left Jordan for the UK in 2014, Shaykh Ali gave him his distinct blessing and still recommends students in the UK to seek out Shaykh Abdul-Rahim for Quranic studies. Since his return he has trained as a therapist and has helped a number of people overcome emotional and psychosomatic issues. He is a keen promoter of emotional and mental health.