Getting rid of bank interest in inheritance
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Fatwa number ( 20135 )
Q: I have a brother who is blind, paralyzed in one hand and one leg, and had no source of income except that he would recite the Qur'an in graveyards, on the streets, in cars, and on sidewalks without the proper etiquette, such as ritual purity or ablution. He made this his source of livelihood and a means by which people would feel pity for him. I do not know if his intention was begging or not. I repeatedly stopped him from what he was doing and told him, "Stay with me and I will support you," despite my poor financial situation. He refused every time until he died, leaving money in the bank from this source, which is akin to begging, or is begging, and it includes a percentage of interest. Is this money lawful or forbidden? Is it permissible for me to inherit this money or not? And if this money is forbidden in terms of its source and its interest, how do I get rid of it, considering it is forbidden money? Also, my mother left us a house, and my brother and I were to inherit it. During my absence, he rented this house to tenants on a permanent lease. When I came to live in the house, I found it
occupied by the tenants. I offered to have them vacate the house, since they have other housing and I have no housing, but they refused unless they took a portion of the money. Is it permissible for me to give them a portion of the money he left behind so that they vacate the house for me to live in, or not, considering that he was the one who housed them?
A: First: You may inherit the money your brother left behind, but you must get rid of the bank interest, because it is forbidden riba (usury or interest). So, spend it in general causes for Muslims, such as giving it to the poor and needy to get rid of it. Second: If you and the tenant agree on a specific amount of money that you will pay him so that he leaves the house, there is no harm in that. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I have a brother who is blind, paralyzed in one hand and one leg, and had no source of income except that he would recite the Qur'an in graveyards, on the streets, in cars, and on sidewalks without the proper etiquette, such as ritual purity or ablution. He made this his source of livelihood and a means by which people would feel pity for him. I do not know if his intention was begging or not. I repeatedly stopped him from what he was doing and told him, "Stay with me and I will support you," despite my poor financial situation. He refused every time until he died, leaving money in the bank from this source, which is akin to begging, or is begging, and it includes a percentage of interest. Is this money lawful or forbidden? Is it permissible for me to inherit this money or not? And if this money is forbidden in terms of its source and its interest, how do I get rid of it, considering it is forbidden money? Also, my mother left us a house, and my brother and I were to inherit it. During my absence, he rented this house to tenants on a permanent lease. When I came to live in the house, I found it
occupied by the tenants. I offered to have them vacate the house, since they have other housing and I have no housing, but they refused unless they took a portion of the money. Is it permissible for me to give them a portion of the money he left behind so that they vacate the house for me to live in, or not, considering that he was the one who housed them?
A: First: You may inherit the money your brother left behind, but you must get rid of the bank interest, because it is forbidden riba (usury or interest). So, spend it in general causes for Muslims, such as giving it to the poor and needy to get rid of it. Second: If you and the tenant agree on a specific amount of money that you will pay him so that he leaves the house, there is no harm in that. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.