Golden Handshake from a Bank

By Mufti Taqi Usmani
Posted: 14 Zul-Hijjah 1423, 16 February 2003


Q.) One of my relative who was working in a non Islamic bank has got Golden handshake and earned money around 20 lacs (2 million). I told him that this money is not halal for you and to make it halal you should exchange this money with a non-Muslim (the suggestion that I heard from someone). But he told me that firstly it is very hard find a non-Muslim to exchange such a large amount of money in Pakistan. Secondly if we manage to find non Muslim, how can we trust him? Please guide according to Shariah.

A.) It is not correct to exchange this money with a non-Muslim. The best way in this case is that the person who has acquired this money should either give it to a charity instantly or he may use it for his business with the clear intention that he will donate this amount to a charity, though gradually. If he has this intention truthfully then it is hoped that the benefit he derives from that amount will be forgiven by Allah (Subhanahu Taala), but he must keep on giving the undertaken amount to a charity.