Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 879 [Read full issue]
Haram Means
Whenever any permissible action of the believer is accompanied by a good intention, his action becomes an act of worship. But the case of the haram is entirely different; it remains haram no matter how good the intention, how honourable the purpose, or how lofty the aim may be. Islam can never consent to employing a haram means to achieve a praiseworthy end. Indeed, it insists that not only the aim be honourable but also that the means chosen to attain it be pure. "The end justifies the means" is not the maxim of the Shariah, nor is "Secure your right even through wrong-doing." This can never be, for the Shariah demands that the right should be secured through just means only.
If someone accumulates wealth through usury, forgery, gambling, prohibited games, or in any other haram manner in order to build a mosque, establish a charitable foundation, or to do any other good work, the guilt of having done what is haram will not be lifted from hbecause of the goodness of his objective; in Islam good aims and intentions have no effect in lessening the sinfulness of what is haram. This is what the Prophet (peace be on him) taught us when he said: "Verily, Allah is good and does not accept anything but good." [Muslim, Tirmidhi]
He also said, "If anyone amasses wealth through haram means and then gives charity from it, there is no reward for him and the burden of sin remains." [Ibn Khazimah, Ibn Hibban, and al-Hakim]
Again he said, "If a person earns property through haram means and then gives charity, it will not be accepted (by Allah); if he spends it there will be no blessing on it; and if he leaves it behind (at his death) it will be his provision in the Fire." [Ahmad]
Compiled From:
"The Lawful and Prohibited in Islam" - Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, pp. 25-27