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Fatwa CenterBetter to earn doubtful income than definitely Haraam one
Question
Wa 'alaykum salam, Most of my husbands income is haram and it is just enough to get by and support a member of our family, if he fell ill or for some reason he was unable to work for a week, we can pay rent but would struggle for food. The chance of getting halal job (with his experience and not being able to speak english) that will be enough for living and supporting another member is near to impossible. Also, we live in non-muslim country (UK) and would really like to move to muslim country (bangladesh). The only thing stopping us is money, once we get there we don't have much to start a business to live on and there will be three more people to look after. So, I have found something to do, which eventually might give us enough income for a business in bangladesh, however, the thing I want to do has difference of opinion, whether it's halal or haram. Therefore, I think it's doubtful, however, is it better that I earn doubtful income and move to a muslim country and start halal business or live with constant haram income and stay in a non muslim country? Also if this is permissable, can I use it to help the building of mosques or help family members?
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 
is His Slave and Messenger.
You did not clarify to us the business you wish to establish in order to earn your living so that we could give a ruling about it.
However, in general we can say that if someone finds a job that is dubious, and another job that is expressly Haraam (forbidden), then he is not allowed to do the Haraam job as he can fulfil his needs by doing the dubious job, as what is dubious is less serious than what is expressly Haraam.
As regards using Haraam or dubious money for building mosques, then this is permissible as we have clarified in Fatwa 115211.
On the other hand, it is not permissible to seek a job with Haraam income even with the intention of giving the income to charity for a mosque or else as clarified in Fatwa 83081. But if someone does not find a way to support himself and his dependants except with a job whose income is Haraam and he cannot find another job, then he may continue in that job, but he is obliged to look for a permissible job. In case he finds it, he is obliged to leave the Haraam job as "necessity is to be given its proper estimate". For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 124718.
Allaah Knows best.
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