How can money be invested, preserved, and its Zakat paid, in the absence of Islamic banks, the insecurity of the home, and the prevalence of Riba (usury)?

Depositing money in usurious banks without interest entails assisting the bank in dealing with usury. If it is with interest, then it is forbidden usury, which the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed its devourer and its enabler.

Whoever has money and wishes to preserve or invest it should seek a permissible method, such as entrusting the money to a trustworthy person who will trade with it, with the profit being shared between them according to their agreement.

If one finds no way to preserve money except by depositing it in a bank, then there is no harm in that due to necessity or need, provided it is without interest, and one chooses the bank that is least evil and closest to Sharia (definition)-compliant dealings.

Sheikh Ibn Baz said: "Placing money in banks with interest is forbidden usury by the consensus of scholars. As for placing it without interest, it is safer to avoid it except when necessary, because it assists the bank in its usurious dealings. It is obligatory to beware of the forbidden and to seek sound ways to preserve and manage money."