halal and haram money

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

It amazes me sometimes how some muslims don’t
have any fear of haram acts. I won’t be too broad so I will just talk about income specifically. How does a muslim feel comforable with money he earned by ripping off someone? by selling haram items? money gained through gambling? through rishwat?
selling or buying stolen items? the auto mechanic charging $1000 for fixing a fuse?

We all know that for sin there is punishment islamically but I just wanted to get some responses, what is your true feeling? Ok we won’t get into like, (oh well I didnt know its stolen, or somehow we are paying interest somewhere, etc… ) lets not get complicated, Im talking about direct haram or unlawful income or earning

Do you feel comfortable taking unlawful income? do you feel ok commiting fraud?
taking rishwat? stealing services through fraud? I’ve always been afraid to even touch haram money even if its a penny (as best I can). I knew the my losses from the cheap gain will be multiplied! by how much, Allah knows. But it amazes me how some are ok with it (muslims, non muslims, etc…) and its part of everyday life. Numerous examples. It equally amazes me how a large firm will refund few pennies that they mistakenly charged extra, and they are the most successful and respected firms.

I see some laughing when then didn’t
pay for a train ticket, or got away with paying a fee or whatever, or ripping off someone with a product or service, getting a service from someone and not paying him and these are ‘normal’ adults, not kids. Whats most funny is that they are proud of it. Is it so part of everyday life that it doesn’t seem like a sin? Although I saw more of this in Pakistan than here.

How come we can be comfortable with unlawful income being muslims? the same income we feed our kids.
What is your feeling?

2

I asked someone else this once and their reply insinuated that it was okay with their conscience because the system ripped them off so many times that they felt it was only a drop in the bucket to rip the system off on the rare occassion that they got.

People have all sorts of ways to justify their behaviour.

3

I feel a little guilty using the internet at work (how else could I be in touch with my buddies on the Gupshup?), but I always end up taking work home to put in enough sweat for the money that I am paid for my labor.

I hate gambling, but am guilty of occasionally playing Lotto with my office friends and betting on the superbowl. I guess I am destined for hell. However, I have never won any Bet. I will be going to Hell empty handed.

Taking and giving Rishwat is a low act. I have never dodged the system by paying my way, either here in the US or in Pakistan (except for once or twice, and then I felt horrible after that). Honesty may get you in trouble at times, but in the long run honest people come out winners.