The Ruling on Eating with One Who Has Gathered His Wealth from What Is Forbidden
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A man gathered his wealth from riba (usury or interest), and his sons are hesitant about eating from this wealth. Then, if this father dies, is it permissible for them to inherit this wealth? And how does this man repent?
First: It is obligatory for this man to repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and to abandon riba (usury or interest). Then, if this riba (usury or interest) that he gathered was due to ignorance, not knowing that it is forbidden,Or from a doubt, it can be said: that it is forbidden, but he was not certain, then it is permissible for him to keep it with him,because of His saying, the Exalted: [al-Baqarah: 275] .
As for if he was knowledgeable but was a sinner, then Allah granted him repentance and guidance, then completing his repentance is to give this wealth in charity, to rid himself of it, not to draw near to Allah with it; because if he drew near to Allah with it, it would not be accepted from him. But he intends to rid himself of it, as there is no way for him to be saved except by this, by spending it as charity for a poor person, or in repairing roads, or repairing mosques, and the like.
As for his children, there is no blame on them to eat from it during their father’s life and to accept his invitation; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the invitation of the Jews, even though they consumed riba (usury or interest).
And as for if they inherit it after his death, it is lawful for them; because they inherited it through a lawful method. Even though it was forbidden for him, they acquired it through a lawful path by inheritance. And if they disavow it and give it in charity on behalf of their father, perhaps Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) will make this charity erase the sins that came before it.
First: It is obligatory for this man to repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and to abandon riba (usury or interest). Then, if this riba (usury or interest) that he gathered was due to ignorance, not knowing that it is forbidden,Or from a doubt, it can be said: that it is forbidden, but he was not certain, then it is permissible for him to keep it with him,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 سَلَفَAs for if he was knowledgeable but was a sinner, then Allah granted him repentance and guidance, then completing his repentance is to give this wealth in charity, to rid himself of it, not to draw near to Allah with it; because if he drew near to Allah with it, it would not be accepted from him. But he intends to rid himself of it, as there is no way for him to be saved except by this, by spending it as charity for a poor person, or in repairing roads, or repairing mosques, and the like.
As for his children, there is no blame on them to eat from it during their father’s life and to accept his invitation; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the invitation of the Jews, even though they consumed riba (usury or interest).
And as for if they inherit it after his death, it is lawful for them; because they inherited it through a lawful method. Even though it was forbidden for him, they acquired it through a lawful path by inheritance. And if they disavow it and give it in charity on behalf of their father, perhaps Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) will make this charity erase the sins that came before it.