Is Disposing of Haram Income With the Intention of Reward Disbelief?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I am suffering from extreme OCD thoughts regarding disbelief. Previously I asked a question but needed clarity on it. I know I am a bit irritating; please forgive me. My question is, I read somewhere that charity from haram income with the intention of reward is disbelief.
Does charity from haram income with the intention of reward constitute Kufr?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
If someone believes disposing of haram wealth to charity is an act of reward, then it can be related to disbelief, not disbelief in itself. Some scholars maintain that when disbelief is mentioned in some creedal statements, such as above, it is not to be understood literally but rather as an exaggeration to divert believers from falling into the described action. [Maydani, Sharh al-‘Aqida al-Tahawiyya]
Ḥaram wealth is intrinsically contaminated and holds no value in the eyes of a Muslim. Thus, even when a person makes tawba, although he becomes purified from the sin of accumulating wealth, that money will remain polluted. It is incumbent upon him to dispose of it, and he has no choice.
However, looking at the vast mercy of Allah Most High, it is highly likely that Allah will reward a person, even when cleansing himself from ḥaram wealth, looking at this deeper aspect.
You can search for more related answers on SeekersGuidance Answers.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction, in sha’ Allah.
Related:
- Devil’s Tricks – The Path of Muhammad: Birgivi’s Manual of Taqwa Explained. [Video]
- The Application of Islamic Psychotherapy for the Treatment of OCD.
- Key Principles Relating to Certainty, Doubt, and Baseless Misgivings (Waswasa)
- The Path of Muhammad: Birgivi’s Manual of Taqwa Explained.
- A Reader on OCD and Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings).
- Being Balanced – Emotional and Mental Health.
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course: Satanic Tactics: Seven Tricks of the Devil?
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
