What is the ruling on using clothing and eating food that was given as a gift by a close relative who works in a riba (usury or interest) bank?
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The questioner : He says: O esteemed Shaykh, a man works in a bank that deals in riba (usury or interest). He visited a relative of his and brought gifts of food and clothing for those relatives. What is the ruling on those relatives using this clothing and eating this food? Is it permissible for them, or is it forbidden?
The Shaykh : It is permissible for them to eat it, because if a person earns money through a forbidden means, but the money itself is not forbidden in its essence, then it is permissible for one who receives it from him through a lawful means to eat from it. These people received it through a lawful means, which is a gift. However, if refusing to accept his gift would be a cause for him to distance himself from riba (usury or interest), then in this case it is obligatory for them to return the gift and explain to him that they are returning it because he deals in riba (usury or interest), so that he may repent. But if he will not abandon what he is doing, then there is no blame on them for accepting his gift. We know that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted gifts from the Jews. At Khaybar, he accepted a gift of a sheep from a woman who had given it to him. In Madinah, a Jewish boy invited him to barley bread and a stew of dried fish, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted. Similarly, he dealt with a Jewish man who had bought food for his family, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pledged his armor to him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) died while his armor was still pledged with this Jewish man. Based on this, we say to this group: If returning his gift leads to him ceasing to deal in riba (usury or interest), then return it. And if it does not lead to that, and the man will not be concerned by your returning or accepting it, then there is nothing wrong with accepting this gift.
The Shaykh : It is permissible for them to eat it, because if a person earns money through a forbidden means, but the money itself is not forbidden in its essence, then it is permissible for one who receives it from him through a lawful means to eat from it. These people received it through a lawful means, which is a gift. However, if refusing to accept his gift would be a cause for him to distance himself from riba (usury or interest), then in this case it is obligatory for them to return the gift and explain to him that they are returning it because he deals in riba (usury or interest), so that he may repent. But if he will not abandon what he is doing, then there is no blame on them for accepting his gift. We know that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted gifts from the Jews. At Khaybar, he accepted a gift of a sheep from a woman who had given it to him. In Madinah, a Jewish boy invited him to barley bread and a stew of dried fish, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted. Similarly, he dealt with a Jewish man who had bought food for his family, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pledged his armor to him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) died while his armor was still pledged with this Jewish man. Based on this, we say to this group: If returning his gift leads to him ceasing to deal in riba (usury or interest), then return it. And if it does not lead to that, and the man will not be concerned by your returning or accepting it, then there is nothing wrong with accepting this gift.