The obligation to dispose of interest-based wealth for the benefit of the poor and needy
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Question: In our country, the banks are interest-based. In the past, five years ago, I used to take this money and keep it aside without using it. Is it permissible, O honorable Shaykh, for me to buy an apartment for someone in need with this money? And if it is not permissible, what should I do with it?
Answer: Riba is among the ugliest of the forbidden things. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says: [al-Baqarah:275], and He the Exalted said: [Al-Baqarah 2:278] So if you do not do it, then give notice of war from Allah and His Messenger. And if you repent, then yours is the principal of your wealth; you will not wrong and not be wronged. [al-Baqarah:278-279].
So riba is among the ugliest of the sins and among the ugliest of the major sins. If some riba has come to you and you know it, it is obligatory to remove it and dispose of it for the poor and the needy, or in some charitable projects; such as public baths, repairing roads, fencing cemeteries, and the like of what people need. And do not consume anything from it.
As for if you were ignorant and then you learned, then what has passed is for you. Allah the Exalted says: [al-Baqarah:275].
So if some riba has come to you while you were ignorant and then Allah guided you, then what has passed is for you.
Answer: Riba is among the ugliest of the forbidden things. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:
But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest
وَأَحَلَّ اللّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَاO you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَذَرُواْ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ So riba is among the ugliest of the sins and among the ugliest of the major sins. If some riba has come to you and you know it, it is obligatory to remove it and dispose of it for the poor and the needy, or in some charitable projects; such as public baths, repairing roads, fencing cemeteries, and the like of what people need. And do not consume anything from it.
As for if you were ignorant and then you learned, then what has passed is for you. Allah the Exalted says:
But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah. But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.
وَأَحَلَّ اللّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا فَمَن جَاءهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىَ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَSo if some riba has come to you while you were ignorant and then Allah guided you, then what has passed is for you.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.