What is the position of a son if his father consumes riba (usury or interest)?
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The questioner : I ask for details if the father consumes riba (usury or interest); what is the son's position regarding this?
The Shaykh : Is there a detail in the issue such that you are asking for details?
The questioner : For example, does he marry with this money?
The Shaykh : We say: If the father deals in riba (usury or interest) and the son is in need of financial maintenance, for marriage, or for scholarly books, he may take it and there is no blame on him. We have mentioned this in very beneficial rules, which is that what is forbidden to earn is forbidden only to the earner. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with the Jews, accepted their gifts, sold to them, and bought from them.
The questioner : I mean, Shaykh, he does not seek knowledge from this?
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : He does not seek knowledge because he consumes forbidden money?
The Shaykh : It is forbidden to whom? It is forbidden to his father. But if his father gives it to him, it is not forbidden. However, if he steals it from his father, it is forbidden. Do you understand? Or if his father was cheating... harming people and stealing, and he brings the stolen goods to give to the son, then this is also forbidden. This is specifically forbidden. Do you understand?
The questioner : So it is lawful in all aspects?
The Shaykh : But I told you, it should not be done except for need. So if you are in need, if you need a wife, take a mahr (bridal gift) from him. If you are pleased or ask for a second, take a second. If you ask for a third, take a third. If you ask for a fourth, take a fourth. If it is not sufficient, tell him to buy me a slave woman.
The Shaykh : Is there a detail in the issue such that you are asking for details?
The questioner : For example, does he marry with this money?
The Shaykh : We say: If the father deals in riba (usury or interest) and the son is in need of financial maintenance, for marriage, or for scholarly books, he may take it and there is no blame on him. We have mentioned this in very beneficial rules, which is that what is forbidden to earn is forbidden only to the earner. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with the Jews, accepted their gifts, sold to them, and bought from them.
The questioner : I mean, Shaykh, he does not seek knowledge from this?
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : He does not seek knowledge because he consumes forbidden money?
The Shaykh : It is forbidden to whom? It is forbidden to his father. But if his father gives it to him, it is not forbidden. However, if he steals it from his father, it is forbidden. Do you understand? Or if his father was cheating... harming people and stealing, and he brings the stolen goods to give to the son, then this is also forbidden. This is specifically forbidden. Do you understand?
The questioner : So it is lawful in all aspects?
The Shaykh : But I told you, it should not be done except for need. So if you are in need, if you need a wife, take a mahr (bridal gift) from him. If you are pleased or ask for a second, take a second. If you ask for a third, take a third. If you ask for a fourth, take a fourth. If it is not sufficient, tell him to buy me a slave woman.