A relative of mine deals in riba (usury or interest) and often invites me to a wedding feast or the like. Is it permissible for me to eat from his food, knowing that I have advised him repeatedly?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Noble Shaykh, I have a relative who deals in riba (usury or interest), and he often invites me to a wedding feast or the like. Is it permissible for me to eat from his food, knowing that I have advised him repeatedly?
The Shaykh : Yes, there is nothing wrong with a person accepting the invitation of one who consumes riba (usury or interest). The general rule is that if something is forbidden to earn, the sin lies with the one who earned it, while the one who receives it by right bears no sin. The evidence for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the invitation of the Jews and ate from their food. It is well known that the Jews are known for taking riba (usury or interest) and consuming illicit wealth. Therefore, it is permissible for you to sell to and buy from a person who deals in riba (usury or interest); your sale and purchase with him are lawful. It is also permissible, if he invites you, to eat from his wealth and food. However, pay attention to what is forbidden in itself. What is forbidden in itself is forbidden in all cases for everyone. If a person presents you with food that you know belongs to someone other than the one who presented it to you, it is not permissible for you to eat it. That is, if you know that a person stole this money and gave you this stolen money, it is not lawful for you to eat it, because this is forbidden for what reason? For its own sake. This specific money is forbidden except with the permission of its owner. Likewise, if a person presents you with khamr (intoxicants) or tobacco, it is forbidden for you, because it is forbidden in itself.
The Shaykh : Yes, there is nothing wrong with a person accepting the invitation of one who consumes riba (usury or interest). The general rule is that if something is forbidden to earn, the sin lies with the one who earned it, while the one who receives it by right bears no sin. The evidence for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the invitation of the Jews and ate from their food. It is well known that the Jews are known for taking riba (usury or interest) and consuming illicit wealth. Therefore, it is permissible for you to sell to and buy from a person who deals in riba (usury or interest); your sale and purchase with him are lawful. It is also permissible, if he invites you, to eat from his wealth and food. However, pay attention to what is forbidden in itself. What is forbidden in itself is forbidden in all cases for everyone. If a person presents you with food that you know belongs to someone other than the one who presented it to you, it is not permissible for you to eat it. That is, if you know that a person stole this money and gave you this stolen money, it is not lawful for you to eat it, because this is forbidden for what reason? For its own sake. This specific money is forbidden except with the permission of its owner. Likewise, if a person presents you with khamr (intoxicants) or tobacco, it is forbidden for you, because it is forbidden in itself.