Is it permissible for one who has usurious wealth to build a mosque with it or give it in charity?
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The questioner : The honorable Shaykh (may Allah preserve you): What is your opinion regarding one who has obtained usurious wealth, whether from usurious banks or from the savings system practiced in some companies, and wants to get rid of it? Is he allowed 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 usurious wealth and not take anything from it? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : As for one who has not taken this wealth, it is not permissible for him to take it; rather, he should leave it, because Allah the Exalted says:[Al-Baqarah 2:278] meaning: leave it. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said while delivering the sermon to the people at 'Arafah: So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) abolished all usury, even though it was contracted in the pre-Islamic age of ignorance before Islam. Therefore, whoever has engaged in a usurious transaction but has not taken the usury, it is obligatory for him to leave it for its owner and to repent to Allah, Mighty and Majestic.
As for one who has taken it, if it was out of ignorance and he did not know that it was forbidden, then his repentance wipes out what came before it, and the wealth is his, by the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:275].
As for one who took it knowing that it was forbidden, but he was initially weak in religion and lacking in insight, then he should give it in charity. If he wishes, in building mosques; if he wishes, in paying off the debts of those who are unable to pay them; or if he wishes, to his needy relatives, because all of this is good.
The Shaykh : As for one who has not taken this wealth, 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 الرِّباThe usury of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance is abolished—meaning: it is void—and the first usury I have abolished is the usury of al-'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, for it is all abolished
ربا الجاهلية موضوع -يعني: مهدر- وأول رباً أضع من ربانا ربا العباس بن عبد المطلب فإنه موضوع كلهAs for one who has taken it, if it was out of ignorance and he did not know that it was forbidden, then his repentance wipes out what came before it, and the wealth is his, by the saying of Allah 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 one who took it knowing that it was forbidden, but he was initially weak in religion and lacking in insight, then he should give it in charity. If he wishes, in building mosques; if he wishes, in paying off the debts of those who are unable to pay them; or if he wishes, to his needy relatives, because all of this is good.