Can We Sell a House Inherited from Someone Who Earned Through Bribery?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

My father’s uncle was a tax officer, and he made a house with money derived from taxes and bribes (most likely). After his death, the house came under the possession of my father, and after his death, the house came under my and my family’s possession via inheritance. So, can we sell this house and benefit from its money or not?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good health and faith. Thank you for your question.

If a house was built using money earned through forbidden (haram) means, such as bribery, that money should be returned to its rightful owner. If the rightful owner cannot be identified, which can be challenging, then the money should be given to charity or to those in need, without the intention of seeking a reward from Allah. This act is not regarded as a rightful donation but rather as a means of purifying one’s wealth. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Related

1. What Are the Rulings Regarding Bribes? 
2. Bribery Archives
3. Can Islamic Organizations Accept Unlawful Donations?
4. Can I Keep a Phone Bought with Haram Money?
5. Income from a Business Started with Haram Wealth
6. Can Bribery Be Allowed to Reclaim Stolen Rights?

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Currently, he resides in the UK with his wife and is interested in reading and gardening.