Assalamu alaikum Here in india banks deduce a amount from our account yearly as a atm card fee. I want to know the ruling of using the interest money they give, for paying this fee? Pls direct me to know what can all be done with interest money in detail

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible to open an account in a Riba-based bank except for a necessity or a dire need [Riba means usurious interest]. In case of necessity or dire need, a person may open a current account to fulfill his necessity as this is better than a savings account, but the necessity is measured according to its proper estimate.

Then, if a person receives interest, he is obliged to get rid of it by spending it on the general welfare of the Muslims or giving it to the poor and needy. However, he is not entitled to pay the fees of the bank card or any other fees with the interest.

Also, he should not use this interest for any personal financial obligation so as to preserve his own money, and he should not benefit from this interest for his own self unless he is poor and needy, in which case, he is entitled to take from it according to his need only; An-Nawawi said: “He is entitled to benefit from this forbidden money and spend it on his family if he is poor, because if his family (wife and children) are poor, then they are entitled to it due to them being poor, and they are given precedence for his charity. He is also entitled to take according to his need as he is also poor.”

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 90054 and 84007.

Allaah Knows best.