Gifting money in which the unlawful and the lawful are mixed

Question

Question: Zayd’s father is engaged in trade, and that trade is entirely contrary to the noble Shari‘a: for example, he lies, gives short measure, takes more than is due, and they practise many frauds — the way trade is carried on nowadays: no one pays any regard to the rulings (masa’il), and people do whatever they please. Now what we wish to know is this: Zayd’s father gives Zayd as much money as he sees fit and runs his own affairs with the rest. Is it permissible for Zayd to take this money or not?

Answer

If Zayd’s father gives Zayd purely unlawful and impermissible money — for example, money from bribery, interest or usurpation (ghasb) and the like — or gives him mixed money in which the unlawful predominates and the lawful is less, then it is not permissible for Zayd to take it; he should refuse outright. If for some reason he has taken it, he should return it.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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