[Q 223] What is the ruling on accepting money earned through forbidden means for the repayment of a debt?

Question

If I bank transfer someone money as a favor and they give me the same exact amount of money back but earn haram, then is their money also haram for me as they are just returning money that was initially halal when given?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

In the above mentioned case, if the returned amount is not the exact same currency notes that they earned through impermissible and haram means, but rather the notes have been changed, then it is permissible for you to take this money. And if the amount was returned through a bank transfer, then it is certain that the notes have been changed and it is permissible for you to accept it in any case.

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)

Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated by: Arslan Attari