Ruling on marrying with ill-gotten money

14-1-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it permissible that one marries with money stolen from the state?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible for anyone to steal money in order to cover his marriage costs or any other. However, the marriage will be valid if it is concluded with such money. Still the wrongdoer is guilty and he is required to return the money and repent to Allaah The Almighty. In such a case, his wife is entitled to the same dowry given to similar women. In Fat-h Al-Wahhaab, Shaykhul-Islam, Zakariyya Al-Ansaari stated, “If a man marries a woman for a dowry that is not considered property or that he does not own (wine, free man, blood or stolen property), a dowry that is given to similar women will become due. That is because the dowry is invalid as it is not considered property or is not owned by the husband. This is applicable regardless whether the husband knows or is ignorant about the ruling.” 

Allaah Knows best.