Selling to Muslim customer whose wealth is haram

Question:

If a Muslim customer’s wealth, or the majority of it, is haram, is it permissible for a Muslim merchant to accept his money? Answer: ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

If a Muslim customer intends to purchase something from a Muslim merchant with haram wealth (e.g. he sold a bottle of liquor and wants to use that exact cash to buy something from a Muslim. Also, he does not mix that cash with any other money, e.g. depositing it in a bank, etc.), then it is not permissible for a Muslim to accept such money should he have knowledge of the source of wealth (i.e. he knows that the wealth which is being presented to him is completely unlawful). Alternatively, a merchant may kindly request the customer in reference to pay via credit card, thereby making the transaction valid and the money lawful for the merchant. On the other hand, if the Muslim merchant was unaware of the source of wealth, then he would be excused and may accept the customer’s money. If the Muslim customer’s wealth is mixed (i.e. he combines his wealth irrespective of it all being haram or it being a mixture of halal and haram) in such a way that the haram wealth cannot be distinguished from the halal, then it would be permissible to accept his money, and the money will be halal for the merchant. The aforementioned scenario (mixing of wealth) is more relevant to today’s day and age due to people depositing their money in banks, mixing their cash, etc. [1] Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] Fiqhul Buyoo’: v. 2, p. 1005-1031 (Maktaba M’aariful Quran); Ahsanul Fatawa: v. 8, p. 315-335 (HM Saeed Company)