Is It Necessary To Return the Income I Earned From a Skill Learned Though Haram Means?

Question:

Is it necessary to return the income I earned from a skill learned though haram means?

Answer:

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

May Allah, Most High reward you for your desire to increase in knowledge.

The income acquired from a (permissible) skill that was learned from a stolen phone is permissible to keep and use.

The phone or the monetary value of the phone must be returned to its lawful owner.
Allah, Most High says, “You who believe, do not wrongfully consume each other’s wealth but trade by mutual consent.” (Qur’an: 4:29)

You must repent to Allah, Most High from stealing and be certain to never fall into it again.

Remember that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The one who repents from sin is like the one who never sinned.” [Ibn Majah]

And Allah alone knows best,

[Ustadh] Omar Popal

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani