Give back money gift ?

We finally gathered for Usrah session after almost 3 weeks off due to Eid celebration. Alhamdulillah. This time around, there were only 4 of us (Kak Kemon, Kak Adik, Hajar, and me myself). These charming ladies are regular attendees of our usrah. Actually the actual figure of Usrah members is around 10, but never did all of us were there at the same time. I really enjoy this Usrah group. U know it is one of tools of attaining Eman Rush from the little knowledge sharing by our naqibah, and also the right place to be with pious and Allah-oriented people, inshaAllah.

Kak Akmar (the naqibah) did touch on current hot issue in mainstream media, which is issue on Penangites returning back money gift (wang ihsan) given by state government of DAP. DAP has affirmed that they received money from kelab Lumba Kuda, which happens to be operating judi activities. I am aware about this issue but didn`t really give attention to it. Kak Akmar said that this issue, if we delve it by putting aside political issue, this is something that people has misconception on. Most of us think that every penny that comes from sources which is haram, then by hook or by crook we have to keep our hands off. But how true it is?

I read through shared notes from Zaharuddin.net. He stated that for poor-stricken people, it is MUBAH (Harus) for them to receive the money gift even if it comes from totally Haram sources based on multiple hadeeths. It is permissible for them also to return back the money to the state government, if they want to. But this action is unlikely to favor because there are evidences from Sunnah which allows them to take the money. Moreover, this action will most probably be followed suit by other people in other states who think that money received from Central Government or State Government would come from HARAM sources as well. We have to bear in mind that not only Penang government, but the Central Government does also receive income from duit judi and arak. No objection about that. So if all people have the same thinking as these golden group Penangites, they shall as well return whatever salary/ money received from government as the money must be coming from one of HARAM sources. But it is not a correct thing to do. Zaharuddin further said that harta that is mixed between HALAL and HARAM sources becomes MUBAH for laymen like us to accept gift, aid , jamuans that utilize this mixed harta. Since the government earns income both from HALAL and HARAM sources, then we as government servants can accept and use the money. According to Zaharuddin, the value or physical value of money is not HARAM, but what constitutes HARAM is the way of getting the money. The money contributors will be punished for obtaining the money in the HARAM way,but the money itself it it is to be distributed as charity to needy people does not become HARAM. Poor people receive the money as charity money, in a halal way, thus it is permitted for them to accept it

.

The money can also be used for development purposes such as highway construction, or even erecting a masjid.