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Fatwa CenterGiving Riba to brother
Question
I live in Germany and there is no Islamic bank in this country. So I put my money in one of the banks, which naturally is based on interest (Riba). Can I give the money that I receive in interest to one of my relatives such as my brother, for example?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to save his money in banks which deal with usury and interest because that helps them in sin.
Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…Help you one another in AlBirr and AtTaqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression….}[5:2].
If a Muslim does not find an Islamic bank in which he can save his money, and he is in need of securing his money for fear of theft, etc… then he can save it in a bank which deals with usury and interest.
However, if he can save his money in a current account as to avoid getting interest, then he should not save it in a saving account, because the necessity should be limited to its extent. And if there is no other way to secure his money except by saving it in saving accounts, then he can do so. But he should not benefit from the interest and he should not leave this interest for the bank, rather he should give it to the general benefit of Muslims, or give it to the poor and destitute with the intention of getting rid of the interest.
Therefore, if your brother falls under one of the characteristics on which public money is spent, then it is permissible to give it to him, or to give it to any relative of yours who falls under those characteristics.
Allah knows best.
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