Is it permissible to give interest money to the poor?
Question
A friend of mine has recently started a scheme which encourages muslims to give to the poor through his organisation. Is the use of this money in such a way halal?
Answer
Interest monies must be given to the poor and needy who are eligible to accept Zakaat without the intention of reward. However, interest received from government institutes, eg. post office could be used to offset government taxes. Interest received from private banks cannot be used to offset taxes. It may be used to offset interest charged from the same bank.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, please ask a Mufti. Report an issue
For corrections or mistakes, please email us at fatawasa786@gmail.com.
Source: Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah — https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/7508
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/askimam-7508
People also ask
What should I do with bank interest?
“The receiving and giving of interest is totally impermissible. In the unfortunate event of being involved in an interest bearing transaction, the interest money must be returned to its original owner (the one from whom interest…”
MUBZ · 321 fatawa from 9 Darul Iftas on this
What the Darul Iftas say