Is It Permissible to Accept a Gift from Someone Whose Income Is Derived from Haram Sources?
Answered by Shaykh Muhammad Carr
Question
Is it permissible for me to continue using a phone that was purchased with money gifted by my aunt, who works at a bank where her job involves interest?
ِAnswer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Thank you for your question.
You may continue using the phone purchased with money gifted by your aunt. The funds she provided are regarded as coming from a different source altogether or, at worst, from her bank salary, deemed to originate from the bank’s permissible earnings, such as service fees.
Excessive and Invasive Questions
One should avoid invasive questions. Allah (Most High) says, “O you who believe, seek not answers about things, which if disclosed in new commands would only dismay you.” [Quran, 5:101] The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) mentioned, “The only thing that led to the downfall of those before you was their excessive questioning and their disagreements with their prophets.” [Bukhari]
Proof
Imam Suyuti states, “Dealing with a person whose money is largely derived from haram sources, when the haram portion is not clearly identified in rem, is not considered haram according to the most reliable opinions (preferred view)”. [Suyuti, Ashbah]
Avoiding Doubtful Matters
The recommendation (istihbab) to avoid doubtful matters applies to individuals who possess a strong commitment to the fundamentals of Islam and are in a position to pursue spiritual excellence.
I pray this is of benefit and Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Muhammad Carr
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Muhammad Carr has dedicated his life to studying and transmitting our beautiful deen. His studies have taken him around the globe, where he has benefitted from many luminaries. Under the guidance of his teachers – Shaykh Taha Karan, Shaykh Yaseen Abbas, Shaykh Muadh Ali, and many others – Shaykh Muhammad has grown to appreciate the beauty and benefits of diverse scholarship. He completed his memorization of the Qur’an at Dar al-Ulum Zakariyyah in September 1997 and received an Alimiyya Degree in 2006 from DUAI (Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah). He is also affiliated with Masjid Auwal in Bo Kaap, Cape Town (the oldest mosque in South Africa), where he serves as a co-imam, and Dar Al-Safa, where he has taught since 2018. As a teacher, he imparts the wisdom of our heritage and tradition by opening the door for students. As an imam, he has the unique opportunity to serve his community in daily life.
In addition to his roles as a teacher and imam, Shaykh Muhammad Carr has contributed significantly to the administrative and advisory aspects of Islamic institutions. Since 2023, he has served as the Administrative Director at The Imam Kurani Institute, contributing to the institution’s growth and development. He continues to pursue traditional Islamic Sciences, possessing a keen interest in Islamic Contract Law and Finance. Shaykh Muhammad has been a Shari’ah Board Member for Islamic Asset Management & Insurance Companies since 2001, aligning financial practices with Islamic principles.
