What to do with the Interest Money in one’s Bank Account?

                     9th September 2020

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: I have had a bank account and since a young age we received a lot of interest money which has reached to around £3000. My question is what is the best way or lawful way to get rid of it?

 

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer

In reference to your query, it is ideal to open a bank account without interest being paid into it. However, when the interest money has accumulated in the account over the years, then they must be disposed of money by giving it to the poor and needy[1] regardless of whether they are Muslim or not without the intention of reward as the money itself is tainted and unlawful[2]. The money can also be given away to a welfare non-Islamic project.

 

[Allāh Knows Best]

 

Written by:  Maulana Anas Mullah        Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed

Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

 

[1] Ibn Abideen, raddul Muhtaar, Kitaab uz zakat, vol 2, p 292

من ملك أموالا غير طيبة أو غصب أموالا و خلطها ملكها بالخلط و يصير ضامنا (الي قوله) ان علمت اصحابه او ورثتهم وجب رده عليهم و الا وجب التصدق

 

[2] Ibn Nujaym, Al Bahr al Raaiq, Kitaab al Karahiyya, Fasl fil Bay’ vol 8, p229

وإلا يتصدقوا به؛ لأن سبيل الكسب الخبيث التصدق إذا تعذر الرد.