I used to do forbidden things and get paid for them. Now I have repented. Do I have to return the amounts thus earned?
Praise be to Allah.Yes, one who commits haram (forbidden) deeds and accepts payments for them, should
get rid of the amounts earned from them when he repents. But such amounts should not be
returned to those who paid them.
For instance, when a call-girl repents, she should not return her wages of sin to her
customers. When a singer repents he should not return the wages he earned to the band to
which he belonged or the party which paid. When a man who used to sell wine or drugs
repents he should not return the amounts to those who used to buy from him. Nor should he
who used to swear for others as a false witness return the amounts he earned to those for
whose benefit he used to swear. The reason being that if he returns the amounts to him who
paid, then he will be depositing with him both the unlawful money as well as the unlawful
commodity that he took through bribe or wages of sin. Therefore it will be enough if he gets
rid of such unlawful earning himself. This is the preference of Sheikh al-Islam Ibn
Taimiyyah as well as his pupil Ibn ul-Qayyim as stated in his Madarij.