If a husband says his only way of supporting the family is by dealing with interest-based work, what should the wife do? Is it ok for her to accept this money as her dowry? The husband is actually helping people LOWER their interest rate on their houses, is this acceptable? What should the wife do?
Assalamu alaykum
In the name of Allah most Gracious Most Merciful.
For the time being the wife can avail of this money and use it. However, the husband must be encouraged to find a more lawful work.
If the work is directly interest related for instance working for a finance house or a bank and dealing with interest based transactions full time, which is unlawful. He should actively look for another job, but until then they can avail of the income for their daily needs.
On the other hand if it not directly related, but he only sometimes deals with interest based accounts or transactions, for instance in an accounting job, then his primary income is lawful. However, the percentage earned through interest based or other unlawful transactions will be unlawful. Hence in this case he should only avail of the halal portion and dispose of the rest by giving it to the needy without intention of reward.
In terms of the dowry, it should not be taken from unlawful income. One can wait for it to be paid later through lawful income.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalam
Mufti Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf