As salamu alykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, I had taken a loan to purchase a plot/house for personel use about 1 yr and 2 months ago from the bank and i deposited that amount in savings bank account of another bank in my hometown. unfortunately, till now, i’m unable to purchase it.Anyhow,I’m in debt and paying the instalments to the bank regularly and the instalments complete upto 3 years.Now,I have started recieving the interest upon the deposited amount in my hometown bank. related to this, I have various questions. 1. Can I use the interest money for my relatives marriage/good cause without any intension of sawab? If not then, what to do with that money? 2. Can I use the interest money to repay my loan /instalments/Interest to the bank from which I borrowed? 3.I?m already in debt,but should I have to give the zakat for deposited money which is meant to purchase the plot/house for my personel use?
Answer
(Fatwa: 355/TB=1987/B=1430)
If your relatives are very poor and needy, you should give it in their possession without an intention of reward; they can spend it in their needs as per their choice.
(2) Yes, you can pay the interest of other bank with the interest of your bank, but it is unlawful to use it in one’s needs.
(3) After deducting the debt amount, if you save wealth equal to nisab, it will be liable for zakah, otherwise not.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband