Support IslamQA

Please contribute generously in order to ensure the continuity of our website InshaAllah.

Contribute

What should be done with interest?

30-03-2003

Question 20695

I am working in a company where they gave to employees a few years ago a mount of money they put in a blocked account for 5 years. This amount of money is with interest and they give it to you after 5 years or when you give your resignation.  
I know it is haram but we did not have any choice.  
I am going to leave the company in a few month, and I would like to know how I have to do with this money. Can I keep what they gave me initially and give the amount of interest os saddakka ? Can you please help me, because I do not want to commit a sin.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

The money that you are going to take after five years will be composed of the capital – which is the money paid by the company – and the riba-based profits – which are known as interest. Because riba-based money is not permissible for you, you have no right to take any more than the capital, and you have to leave the interest to the bank, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums”

[al-Baqarah 2:279]

See also question no. 22392. 

If the bank insists on your taking this haraam interest, then you should take it and you have to get rid of it by giving it to charity; it is not permissible for you to keep it or benefit from it in any way. See question no. 292. 

And Allaah knows best.

Interest Forbidden Kinds of Wealth
Using interest to pay for tuition
Depositing money in a riba-based bank
Show on Islam Q&A website.