Jamiatul Ulama KZN Council of Muslim Theologians
Question:
If a close family member like a father is known to earn his income by dealing in Haraam transactions like interest, insurance and gambling, what is the ruling on eating at their homes or accepting any gifts of money speculated from this source, without breaking the family-ties?
Answer:
If majority of the income (50% or more) is known to be from Haraam sources, it will not be permissible to partake of meals from his home. One should politely decline meals if this is the situation. The same applies to accepting gifts and money from such people. i.e.; it is not permissible to accept gifts from a person whose income is mostly from Haraam sources. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah). However, if it is feared that this will hurt his feelings, one should accept the gift and thereafter give it in Sadaqah to the poor without any expectation of Ajar (reward).
ولا يجوز قبول هدية أمراء الجور ؛ لأن الغالب في مالهم الحرمة إلا إذا علم أن أكثر ماله حلال بأن كان صاحب تجارة أو زرع فلا بأس به ؛ لأن أموال الناس لا تخلو عن قليل حرام فالمعتبر الغالب ، وكذا أكل طعامهم ، كذا في الاختيار شرح المختار .
And Allah Knows Best
Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed
Checked and Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Fatwa Department
