Resolution No.(143) (8/2010) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Ruling on Commissions Charged by Brokers In Money Laundering Operations"
Date: (7/5/1431 A.H), corresponding to (22/4/2010)AD.
All praise be to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon his family and companions:
During its fourth session held on the above given date, the Board reviewed the following question:
What is the ruling on commissions charged by brokers in money laundering operations that take place in certain countries, and with their approval ?
After careful study and deliberation, the Board decided what follows:
“Money Laundering” is to transform illegally obtained gain into seemingly legitimate funds in order to hide its origin so that it looks as if it comes from a legitimate business.
Money laundering is prohibited in Islamic Sha`ree`ah, because the money itself comes from an illegitimate source such as usury, gambling, drugs and wines, so the resulting profit is ill-gotten. Allah Says in the Holy Quran, (What means): “O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful!” {An-Nis`sa/29}. This verse clarifies that it is wrong for a Muslim to waste a property whether it was in his name, or belongs to the community, or to the people over whom he has control. A Muslim is allowed to increase property by economic use (traffic and trade). We must be careful of our own and other people`s lives and commit no violence. Our violence to our own brethren is particularly preposterous, seeing that Allah has loved and showered His mercies on us and all His creatures.
Money laundering isn`t a trade because those who do it aren`t seeking profit, rather, they falsely seek to make it look like a legitimate business.
Undoubtedly, money laundering causes great damage to the national economy and leads to tax evasion which undermines the public treasury because the overhead revenues don`t cover the overhead expenses, and this undermines the state and strengthens the organized crime.
Accordingly, brokerage in such illegitimate operations is forbidden in Islamic law because it assists in committing that which is unlawful. Allah Says in this regard (What means): “Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah. for Allah is strict in punishment.” {Al-Mai`da/2}. Brokerage in this illegal activity assists in establishing that which is mendacious since every derivative of mendacity is equally mendacious, so the money resulting from it is tantamount to illegitimate gain.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has fought this phenomenon, and so it issued the Counter Money Laundering Law No.(46/2007) which bans such a crime, counters it and regards it liable to punishment. And Allah Knows Best.
Head of the Iftaa` Board, The Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Vice Head of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel
Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member
His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa
Judge Sarrie Attieh
Dr. Abdulrahman Ibbdah/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Oklah/ Member
Dr. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh/ Member
Executive Secretary of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Al-Ha`sanat
