Regarding the interest given by the bank, I know it is forbidden, but if we take the interest and distribute it to the poor instead of the bank taking it
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The Shaykh : Regarding the interest given by the bank, I know it is forbidden, but if we take the interest and distribute it to the poor instead of the bank taking it, is this lawful? The Shaykh: No, this is forbidden. That is because this interest, which they call by a name other than its true name, is not owned by the owner of the money who is entitled to this interest under the legal system. Legally, he does not own it, because Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says: [Al-Baqarah 2:279] We have repeatedly warned that a question like this implies that it is permissible for a Muslim to deposit his money in the bank, as if he is a good man or person who does not consume riba; he deposits it and intends not to take the riba. This question implies the permissibility of depositing money in the bank, and thereforeThe questioner : people usually ask whether it is better to leave the interest, meaning leave it for the bank, or to take it and give it in charity to the poor and needy? If oneThe questioner : believes that the very act of depositing money in the bank is forbidden, he would not ask this question, because his prior knowledge that it is not permissible to deposit money in the bank is sufficient for him, so he would not ask this question. As the common saying goes: "Whoever wants to avoid seeing disturbing dreams should sleep between the graves." Therefore, whoever does not want to be forced to ask this question does not deposit his money in the bank. But it appears to be settled in the minds of many Muslims that depositing money in the bank, on the condition that he does not benefit from the interest on the money, is lawful. The answer is: It is not permissible to deposit money in the bank, even if you leave the interest for the bank, because depositing money in the bank is aiding the owners of the bank in their continued opposition to Allah and His Messenger. Therefore, it is absolutely not permissible to deposit money in the bank. Consequently, it is not permissible for a person to possess the interest, even if it is not for himself, but for the benefit of the poor and needy, because Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says: "Do not aim to spend the evil of it," meaning do not intend to give charity with evil money. This money is the most evil of all, and it is the interest. If you want to truly give charity to the poor and needy, give charity from your good, lawful capital. As for this interest, the answer is: Yes, leave it for the people of tribulation and the people of sins, who are the people of banks and those who deal with banks. Do not be an aid to them, first, in depositing your money in the bank, and second, if you have erred and deposited your money in the bank, hasten and repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and withdraw your money from it, and do not demand any interest at all, because you do not own it legally. Here is a question.
The questioner: ...
The Shaykh : How did you distribute the interest?
The questioner: ...
The Shaykh : The past is forgiven by Allah for what has gone before. When the polytheists were polytheists and then embraced Islam, they were committing and practicing what they used to do, like the ninety-nine [sins]. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: So regarding the money that was taken, which is the interest, and was given and distributed, is there a way to return it or recover it? First: there is no way. Second: even if there were a way to recover it... Allah has forgiven what has gone before. We are, as it is said, "children of the present time." Children of the present time have money deposited in banks; we must withdraw it and place it in houses where we trust the people and their owners, if we are afraid in our own houses. We must not take an excuse for depositing money in the bank, saying, "By Allah, there is no safety today," or "I don't know what will happen today," and so on. Safety comes to you, O Muslim, from fearing Allah (Mighty and Majestic), because Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says: [At-Talaq 65:2-3]
The questioner: ...
The Shaykh: Do you have something?
The questioner: ...
The Shaykh : Raise your voice, because there is noise...
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : So it is not... permissible to use money against a Muslim.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Meaning they are repenting.
But if you repent, you may have your principal - [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.
وَإِنْ تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَThe questioner: ...
The Shaykh : How did you distribute the interest?
The questioner: ...
The Shaykh : The past is forgiven by Allah for what has gone before. When the polytheists were polytheists and then embraced Islam, they were committing and practicing what they used to do, like the ninety-nine [sins]. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said:
Islam wipes out what came before it, and repentance wipes out what came before it
الإسلام يجبُّ ما قبله ، والتوبة تجبُّ ما قبلهاAnd whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (3) And will provide for him from where he does not expect.
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا * وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُThe questioner: ...
The Shaykh: Do you have something?
The questioner: ...
The Shaykh : Raise your voice, because there is noise...
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : So it is not... permissible to use money against a Muslim.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Meaning they are repenting.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.