Q: A Somalian Muslim woman wrote to me saying that she is working now in Sweden and her name is Fahma Ahmad. Her question is as follows: For a few years I worked as a maid for a Christian family, and my job involved serving Khamr (intoxicants). I quit that kind of job, Praise be to Allah. I would like to know the ruling on the money I acquired from that job, and if I could perform Salah (Prayer) in the clothes that I purchased with that money. If that money is mixed with other money that I earned lawfully, what is the ruling in that case? I hope that your Eminence would give me a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) in this regard. May Allah reward you.

A: This money earned from your job as a maid for a Christian family and which involved serving wine for them, is ill-gotten money that you should get rid of and if you could, pay it in charity. The same applies to your clothes that you bought with that money. It is preferable to get rid of that money by paying it as charity and use the Halal (lawful) money, and if you know the amount of ill-gotten money, then you should dispose of it in charity in order to fulfill your duty, but if you do not, (Part No. 14; Page No. 485) then you may split the money into two halves and pay one part in charity and make use of the other in lawful ways. This would apply if you knew that your work is Haram (prohibited), but if you did not know in the past but now you know the religious ruling on it and so you quit this work and repent to Allah (Exalted be He), then there is no sin on you for what is past, for Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says concerning those who deal with Riba: ...whereas Allâh has permitted trading and forbidden Ribâ (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Ribâ (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allâh (to judge); but whoever returns [to Ribâ (usury)], such are the dwellers of the Fire - they will abide therein. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.