Ruling on accepting a gift from one who deals in riba
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Is it permissible to accept a gift from a man who deals in riba?
I will ask you: Do the Jews consume riba or not?Allah the Exalted said:
[Al-Nisa: 155] until He said:
and their taking of riba, although they were forbidden from it, and their consuming the wealth of people wrongfully [Al-Nisa: 161], and yet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted their gifts. He accepted the gift of the woman who presented a sheep to him in Khaybar. He traded with them, and he died while his armor was pledged to a Jew.
And for this reason, we have a rule: That which is forbidden to earn is forbidden only for the one who earns it, not for the one who takes it from him through a permissible means.
Therefore, it is permissible to accept a gift from one who deals in riba. It is also permissible to buy from and sell to him, unless there is a benefit in boycotting him,Meaning: in not trading with him and not accepting his gift, then we follow this path seeking the benefit. As for that which is forbidden in itself, it is forbidden for the taker and others. For example, if someone gives wine as a gift to a Jew or a Christian who consider wine permissible, is it permissible for me to accept it? No; because it is forbidden for me in itself.
And a person steals someone's wealth and comes to me and gives it to me. Is this stolen wealth forbidden or not? It is forbidden; because this wealth is forbidden in itself.
This rule relieves you from many difficulties: That which is forbidden to earn is forbidden for the earner, not for the one who takes it through a lawful means, unless there is a benefit in boycotting him, not taking from him, not accepting his gift, and not buying from or selling to him, which would deter him from this action. Then he is boycotted for the sake of seeking the benefit. Even eating! Did not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accept the invitation of a Jew and eat from his food?
I will ask you: Do the Jews consume riba or not?Allah the Exalted said:
So for their breaking of their covenant.
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِمْ مِيثَاقَهُمْ..
.And for this reason, we have a rule: That which is forbidden to earn is forbidden only for the one who earns it, not for the one who takes it from him through a permissible means.
Therefore, it is permissible to accept a gift from one who deals in riba. It is also permissible to buy from and sell to him, unless there is a benefit in boycotting him,Meaning: in not trading with him and not accepting his gift, then we follow this path seeking the benefit. As for that which is forbidden in itself, it is forbidden for the taker and others. For example, if someone gives wine as a gift to a Jew or a Christian who consider wine permissible, is it permissible for me to accept it? No; because it is forbidden for me in itself.
And a person steals someone's wealth and comes to me and gives it to me. Is this stolen wealth forbidden or not? It is forbidden; because this wealth is forbidden in itself.
This rule relieves you from many difficulties: That which is forbidden to earn is forbidden for the earner, not for the one who takes it through a lawful means, unless there is a benefit in boycotting him, not taking from him, not accepting his gift, and not buying from or selling to him, which would deter him from this action. Then he is boycotted for the sake of seeking the benefit. Even eating! Did not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accept the invitation of a Jew and eat from his food?