Illicit money (Mal al-Ghulul) is property acquired by the governors, government employees and civil servants illegitimately, whether acquired from the State or peoples’ properties. Nothing is allowed for them except what the State obliged for them as compensation or a salary. Any other money acquired by force, authority or their position is considered illicit property and illegally acquired, whether acquired from the State’s or individuals’ property. It is property not legally owned as it was acquired illegitimately and must be returned to its owner if known. If the owner is not known, then it must be confiscated and placed in the Bait ul-Mal of the Muslims. Allah (swt) says:

“Whoever took (property) illicitly will bear what he acquired on the Day of Judgement” [Al-Imran: 161]

From Mu’az bin Jabal, he said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) sent me to Yemen. As I traveled he sent someone after me to call me back so I returned. He said: ‘Do you know why I sent for you? Don’t acquire anything without my permission as it is illicit (Ghulul), and whoever acquired illicitly will bear what he acquired on the Day of Judgement. For this I called you. So proceed with your work’” (narrated by Tirmidhi). From Abi Mas’ud, he said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) sent me to collect Sadaqat, and he said: ‘Let me not observe you on the Day of Judgement coming with a camel of the camels of Sadaqah that you had illicitly acquired, foaming on your back!’ I said: ‘Then I will not proceed,’ and he said: ‘Then I will not force you.’”

The illegitimate methods of acquisition from the governors, government employees and civil servants are as follows.

Bribery

This is all money given to the governor, official, judge or civil servant to fulfil one of the interests of the people that he is obliged to fulfil without such payment. All bribery, whatever its type, is Haram irrespective of the amount, the means, or reason for it’s payment. Abu Dawud narrated from Abu Hurayra, he said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘The curse of Allah (swt) is on the briber and the taker in authority.’” Tirmidhi narrated from Abdullah bin Amru, he said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘The curse of Allah (swt) is on the briber and taker.’” Ahmad narrated from Thauban, he said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) cursed the briber, taker and the middle-man between them.” These Ahadith are explicit in establishing the absolute prohibition of bribery.

Bribery is taken, as remuneration for fulfilling an interest that must be fulfilled without such remuneration for the one obliged to fulfil it. It is also taken as remuneration for not undertaking an action that must be undertaken, and it can be taken as remuneration for undertaking an action prohibited by the State. There is no difference in the interest whether it is obtaining a benefit or avoiding harm, or whether it was valid (Haqq) or void (Batil). Every property acquired by way of bribery is considered prohibited (Haram) that it is not legally owned. It must be confiscated and placed in Bait ul-Mal for it has been illegitimately acquired. The taker, payer and middleman between them must all be punished.

Gifts and Donations

Any property presented to the governors, officials, judges or civil servants by way of gifts or donations is considered as bribery and it is not allowed for the persons listed to accept it. There is no reason for a person to present such a gift to these officials unless he has an interest he wishes to pursue or if he wishes to gain some kind of favour. Gifts and donations to governors, officials, judges and civil servants are considered illicit property (Ghulul) and lead to Hellfire. There has come explicit prohibition from the Prophet (saw) about accepting such gifts. Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Abu Hamid As-Sa’idi, he said: “The Prophet (saw) appointed a man from Banu Asad, known as ibnul- Lutbiyya, over the Sadaqah.When he returned he said: ‘This is for you and this has been gifted to me.’ The Prophet (saw) stood on the Mimbar, praised and commended Allah (swt) then said: ‘What is wrong with the official we appointed that he comes and says: This is for you and this has been gifted to me.Why did he not sit in his father’s or mother’s house to see if he would get any gifts or not? By the One in whose hand the soul of Muhammad (saw) lies, none of you will obtain anything of the like save that he will come bearing it on his neck on the Day of Judgement, whether a foaming camel or a mooing cow or a bleating sheep!’ Then he raised his arms upwards until we saw the hair of his two armpits and said twice: ‘O Allah (swt), have I conveyed?’”

Therefore, every property gifted or donated to the governors, officials, judges and civil servants is considered illegally acquired and not legally owned. It must be confiscated and placed in the Bait ul-Mal of the Muslims.

Properties Seized by Influence and the Ruler’s Power

These are the properties and lands seized by the rulers, governors, officials, their relatives or civil servants from the State’s or people’s properties and lands by coercion, authority and domination due to the ruler’s power and position. Any property seized in any of these ways, whether of the State’s or people’s properties and lands, is considered illegally acquired and is not legally owned. All such seizures are considered injustice (Zulm) and injustice is Haram and darkness on the Day of Judgement. It is also considered illicit property (Ghulul) that belongs to Hellfire. The Prophet (saw) said: “Whoever takes anything from land illegitimately he will be sunk on the Day of Judgement down to seven earth’s.” In another narration: “Whoever takes a hand span of land unjustly it will be put around his neck as a collar of seven earths on the Day of Judgement” (narrated by the two Shaikhs). From Aiesha, she said “that the Prophet (saw) said: ‘Whoever takes unjustly a hand span of land Allah (swt) will put around his neck a collar of seven earth’s’”(agreed upon).

If the seized properties and lands are people’s properties whose owners are known, then they must be returned to them. If their owners are not known, then they must be placed in the Bait ul-Mal. If they are of the State’s properties then they must inevitably be returned to the Bait ul-Mal. When ‘Umar bin Abdul Aziz assumed the Khilafah, he returned all properties and lands seized by Banu Umayyah from the State’s or peoples’ properties to the Bait ul-Mal of the Muslims, except those he returned to their owners, as they were known. He also divested Banu Umayyah of their allocated land allowances and all they had seized, as he considered that they seized them by the force of their authority and by illegitimate means, and were thus not legally owned. He actually began with himself, surrendering all his funds, properties, riding animals, perfumes and chattels, which he subsequently sold for 32,000 Dinars, and placed them in the Bait ul-Mal.

Agency and Brokerage

This is any property acquired by the governors, officials and civil servants via agency and brokerage from foreign or regional companies or individuals in exchange for contracting deals or undertakings between them and the State. Any property acquired through this means is considered illicit and Haram so it is not legally owned. It must be placed in Bait ul-Mal of the Muslims as it was illegitimately acquired. From Mu’az bin Jabal, he said: “The Prophet (saw) sent me to Yemen. As I went away, he sent someone after me to call me back so I returned. He said: ‘Do you know why I sent for you? Do not acquire anything without my permission for it is illicit, and whoever acquires anything illicitly he will bear what he acquired on the Day of Judgement. For this I called you, so go now to your work.’”

Agency and brokerage are funds from companies and individuals to governors, officials and civil servants who remunerates them without the State’s knowledge and behind her back, like bribery. It is used to facilitate companies or individuals contracting bargains or commitments to undertake projects in a manner calculated to achieve their interests, not the interests of the State or Ummah.

Misappropriation

This is the property embezzled by governors, officials or civil servants from the State property placed under their control to fulfil their duties or supervise installations, projects and other things related to the State’s interests or utilities. Linked to this is what is taken from the people by postal, telegraph, telephone or telecommunications officials, as well as officials of other departments, in excess of the established rates by way of tricking them, deceit or forgery. All these funds acquired through embezzlement from State properties or by the way of tricking people and deceit is considered Haram acquisitions that are not legally owned. These are considered illicit property that must be confiscated and placed in Bait ul- Mal.

If ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab suspected a governor or official, he would confiscate his properties that exceeded the amount specified for him or divide it between him and the State. He used to count the wealth of the governors and officials before and after their appointment. If he found extra funds or became suspicious, he confiscated their wealth or took half of it and placed it in Bait ul-Mal. He did this with Abu Sufyan when he returned from his son Mu’awiya who was ‘Umar’s governor in Ash-Sham. Abu Sufyan had come to greet ‘Umar, so ‘Umar, after he had suspected that Mu’awiya had presented funds to his father on his return, said to him: “Recompense us, O Abu Sufyan.” Abu Sufyan replied: “We did not obtain anything such that we should recompense you.” So ‘Umar extended his hand to the ring on Abu Sufyan’s hand and took it from him. He then sent the ring with a Messenger (saw) to Hind, Abu Sufyan’s wife. He commanded the Messenger (saw) to say to her quoting Abu Sufyan: “Look for the two saddlebags that I came with and send them.” There was no delay before the Messenger (saw) returned with the two saddlebags containing 10,000 Dirhams, so ‘Umar placed them in the Bait ul-Mal.

Whatever has been mentioned of what is acquired by officials and civil servants using illegitimate methods is income for the Bait ul-Mal. Linked to this is every property acquired by individuals through any method of increasing wealth prohibited by Shar’a, as this is Haram acquisition which is not legally owned.

So whoever acquires anything through Riba, it is Haram and not owned legally because Allah (swt) prohibited Riba and prohibited increasing wealth by Riba. Allah (swt) Ta’ala said:

“Those who eat riba will not stand save like those whom Shaitan struck with his touch. That is because they say: Verily trade is like riba. Whereas Allah (swt) permitted trade and prohibited riba. Whoever desisted after there reached him an admonition from his Lord then for him is what has passed and his matter is with Allah (swt). But whoever reverts then they are of the companions of the Fire to dwell therein eternally” [Al-Baqarah: 275] It is obligatory to return the property of Riba to those from whom it was taken if they are known. If they are not known, it is confiscated and placed in the Bait ul-Mal. Allah (swt) Ta’ala said:

“O you who believe, fear Allah (swt) and leave what remains of riba if you are truly believers. If you do not, then be warned of a war from Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw)! If you repent then for you is your capital, neither wronging others, nor being wronged” [Al-Baqarah: 278-9]

Whoever acquires property from gambling, his acquisition is Haram and not legally owned. It is returned to its owner. If its owner is not known, it is confiscated and placed in the Bait ul-Mal, for increasing wealth through gambling is not allowed by Shar’a and gambling is prohibited. Allah (swt) Ta’ala says:

“O you who believe, verily alcohol, gambling, sacrificing to stone and divination by arrows are an abomination of Shaitan’s handiwork. Avoid them so that you may succeed! Shaitan’s only wish is to instigate enmity and hatred between you through alcohol and gambling, and to turn you away from the remembrance of Allah (swt) and prayers. Will you not then desist?” [Al-Mai’dah: 90-1]

Fines

Among the sources of income for the Bait ul-Mal are the fines imposed by the State upon those who commit offences or contravene laws, administrative systems or regulations. Fines are established by the Sunnah. Amru bin Shu’aib narrated from his father from his grandfather Abdullah bin Amru bin al ‘As that the Messenger of Allah (saw) was asked about fruits hanging on a tree so he answered: “Whoever eats out of need, without taking something with himself then there is nothing against him. But whoever leaves taking with him anything then a fine equal to double of its value is imposed as a punishment.” It was also narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: “The one who causes a tethered camel to stray is fined its equivalent plus the same again.” Similarly, a fine is taken from the abstainer of paying Zakat half of his wealth as chastisement above the Zakat obliged upon him due to the Prophet (saw) saying: “and whoever prevented it then I will take it plus half of his wealth.” All this indicates the legality of imposing fines as a chastising punishment. It is for the Khalifah to determine the types of offences and contraventions for which fines are imposed, the amount of these fines including upper and lower limits, and he obliges the governors, officials, judges and civil servants to adhere to these. Alternatively the Khalifah may leave the responsibility of determining them to the Ijtihad of governors, officials, judges and civil servants. It is up to the Khalifah to choose which is best, in looking after the affairs of the Muslims according to his own Ijtihad.