Benefiting from ill-gotten money

Q: I used to work in a circus then I moved to work in one of the hotels in Casablanca. It should be noted that before I repented, I used to engage in unlawful practices. I committed grave sins which I hope Allah will forgive. I earned so much money and bought gold jewelry which I wore for adornment. I have around 20,000,000 Centimes worth of gold jewelry. Since I repented to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), I have not used them. Now, because I do not have a job, some brothers told me to ask if it is permissible for me to sell my gold jewelry and open a women's clothing store and sell the type of clothing I used to wear in my work. It should be noted that these clothes are indecent and are not even fit to be worn by Muslim women at home. Therefore (Part No. 14; Page No. 27) I would like Your Honor to issue a Fatwa in this regard, especially that I am getting older in age and going to marry, Allah willing. The question now is, is it permissible for me to sell some of the gold jewelry and open a small shop. Is it permissible for me to sell some of it and start a jewelry store? May Allah reward you with the best.

A: If you have earned these gold jewels and clothes from unlawful gains, it is not permissible for you to sell them or derive benefit from them. You must return them to their owners, if this is possible. Otherwise, you must get rid of them by spending them on charitable works. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.