How is it justified to take usurious money and spend it on the welfare of Muslims and the poor, even though it is unlawful money, and how does that align with the Almighty’s saying: "And spend of the good things which We have provided for you, and do not aim for what is bad"?
Usurious interest should be withdrawn from banks because the bank does not own it, and leaving it strengthens the bank in sin. It is obligatory to dispose of it by spending it on the interests of Muslims and the poor, for it is not the property of its recipient nor is it charity. These interests are permissible for the poor, and their sin is upon the one who earned them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, bought and ate from the wealth of those who dealt with usury, because a change in the cause of ownership alters the ruling on the money. Banks are not to be measured against individuals in usury, because the bank does not pay interest from its own money, and the owner of the money is unknown. As for usury with a specific person, it is not permissible to take interest from him; rather, only his money should be returned to him.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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