Home » Hanafi Fiqh » Fatwaa.com » Using Interest Money to Aid Muslims

Using Interest Money to Aid Muslims

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Fatwaa.com

Assalaamu’ Alaikum

Respected Mufti Saheb,

Can the money which is earned as Interest on our regular Bank Accounts be used for Muslims without the intention for gaining reward? i.e to buy items for poor Muslims or for aiding Flood victims in Pakistan etc?

Jazakallahu khairan

Answer

Wa’alaykum as Salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,

Interest money does not enter a persons possession. Hence, under general circumstances, it should be returned back to the same avenue or person from who one received the interest. However, when it comes to a bank, then since returning the interest back to them would be a means of aiding in their impermissible transactions and be a means for them to incure further profits, the interest should rather be given in charity without the intention of any reward (since such wealth is being given which is contaminated and not in your ownership). Thus, you may assist poor Muslims or aid those in Pakistan, on condition that you do not make an intention of earning any reward.


والعقد الفاسد واجب الرد (المحيط البرهاني للإمام برهان الدين ابن مازة
(542/6)

And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)
Iftaa Department,
Euro-Sunni & Islamic Research and Welfare Academy

This answer was collected from Fatwaa.com which is an excellent Q&A site managed by Mufti Ismail Moosa from South Africa. .

Read answers with similar topics: