A man who accumulated his wealth from riba, and his sons are hesitant to eat from this wealth, is it permissible for them to inherit it if he dies, and how does the one who deals in riba repent?
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The Shaykh : After that?
The questioner : Your Eminence, a man accumulated his wealth from riba, and his sons are hesitant to eat from this wealth. So if this father dies, is it permissible for them to inherit this wealth?
And how does this man repent?
The Shaykh : First: It is obligatory for this man to repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and to abandon riba. Then, if this riba that he accumulated was due to ignorance, not knowing that it is forbidden, or due to a doubtful matter, meaning it was said to be forbidden but he was not certain, then it is lawful for him and he keeps it with him, by His saying:[Al-Baqarah 2:275]. As for if he was knowledgeable but was a sinner, then Allah granted him repentance and guidance, then completing his repentance is that he gives 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, since there is no way for him to be saved except by this, by spending it as charity on a poor person, or in repairing roads, or in repairing mosques, or the like of that.
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 consume riba.
And as for if they inherit it after him, it is lawful for them because they inherited it through a lawful path, and even though it is forbidden for him, they acquired it through a lawful path through inheritance. And if they volunteer 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. Yes.
The questioner : Your Eminence, a man accumulated his wealth from riba, and his sons are hesitant to eat from this wealth. So if this father dies, is it permissible for them to inherit this wealth?
And how does this man repent?
The Shaykh : First: It is obligatory for this man to repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and to abandon riba. Then, if this riba that he accumulated was due to ignorance, not knowing that it is forbidden, or due to a doubtful matter, meaning it was said to be forbidden but he was not certain, then it is lawful for him and he keeps it with him, by His saying:
So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past
فمن جاءه موعظة من ربّه فانتهى فله ما سلفAs 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 consume riba.
And as for if they inherit it after him, it is lawful for them because they inherited it through a lawful path, and even though it is forbidden for him, they acquired it through a lawful path through inheritance. And if they volunteer 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. Yes.