Q: If a man who has earned his living through illicit ways not permitted in Islam as recorded in the renowned personals, including but not limited to accepting and soliciting bribes, misappropriation of public fund etc. during his entire period of service repents sincerely after he retires from Govt. service, would he be accepted by Allah, especially if he uses his ill gotten gains to sustain himself and perform all necessaries afterwards? Does the same logic apply to robbery and trickery, money lending with interest, sale of narcotics, etc.? Is wealth amassed in such a way even if one turns over a new leaf ?
A: He should make taubah, and if he knows the people from whom he has wrongly taken the money then he should slowly return it to them and if he does not know then he should gradually give that money in charity on their behalf.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)