The Prohibition of Taking Riba and How to Dispose of It
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What is your opinion regarding one who has obtained riba, whether from riba-based banks or from the savings system practiced in some companies, and wants to get rid of it? Is it permissible for him to spend it on good deeds, such as building mosques and the like, or to pay off the debts of Muslims, or to give it to his needy relatives, or to leave this riba money and not take anything from it? May Allah reward you with good.
As for if he has not taken this money, it is not permissible for him to take it; rather, he should leave it.Because Allah the Exalted says: [al-Baqarah: 278] meaning: leave it, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said while delivering the sermon to the people on the Day of 'Arafah: (The riba of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance is abolished—Meaning: annulled—and the first riba I have abolished is the riba of 'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, for it is entirely abolished) So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) abolished all riba, even though it was contracted in the pre-Islamic age of ignorance before Islam. Therefore, whoever has engaged in a riba-based transaction but has not taken the riba, it is obligatory for him to leave it for its owner and to repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
As for if he has taken it, if it was out of ignorance and he did not know that it is forbidden, then his repentance makes what came before it his,because of His saying, the Exalted: [al-Baqarah: 275] .
And as for if he took it knowing that it is forbidden, but he was weak in religion and lacking in insight, then here he should give it in charity, whether in building mosques, or in paying off the debts of those who are unable to pay them, or to his needy relatives; because all of this is good.
As for if he has not taken this money, it is not permissible for him to take it; rather, he should leave it.Because Allah the Exalted says:
O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّباAs for if he has taken it, if it was out of ignorance and he did not know that it is forbidden, then his repentance makes what came before it his,because of His saying, the Exalted:
So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past
فَمَنْ جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَانْتَهَى فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَAnd as for if he took it knowing that it is forbidden, but he was weak in religion and lacking in insight, then here he should give it in charity, whether in building mosques, or in paying off the debts of those who are unable to pay them, or to his needy relatives; because all of this is good.