First and foremost, one must repent for engaging in prohibited activities of trade. Zakat is not binding upon wealth acquired from haram sources like gambling, interest & sales of prohibited items. The total amount of money acquired from unlawful activities must be given all in charity.
Money acquired unlawfully belongs lawfully to the owners of the wealth. If they cannot be traced, one must dispense of such wealth in charity as that amount is not lawfully yours. Therefore, unlawful wealth is a liability which must be dispensed and will be deductible from one’s Zakatable assets for the missed year.
Q: Do unlawful earnings become pure by paying the Zakat?
A: No, Zakat paid on unlawful earnings will not be pure. There is no Zakat on any kind of unlawful wealth.
Reviewed on 09/11/2021
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