Smoking and Narcotics: Ruling on Using Illicit Money from Unknown Sources

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Smoking and Narcotics: Ruling on Using Illicit Money from Unknown Sources

English:

Question #1399:

What is the ruling in the matter of illicit money, such as that earned through trafficking in drugs? If we do not know about its owner, can it be considered as that of an anonymous owner? Should this be the case, is it permissible to have the right of making use of such money with the permission of the authorised religious authority or his representative?

Answer #1399:

If the person who gets hold of the money knows that it is illicit, they should return it to its rightful owner if they know him, albeit among a small group of people. Otherwise, they should give it away in charity on behalf of its rightful owner. Should the illicit money be mixed with the one’s licit money, without knowing its amount and owner, it is obligatory on him to pay khums on it which is to be paid to the authority in charge of khums.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Smoking and Narcotics