paying zakat with money earned from interest

[shamshuddin]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Imam sahib, if one has been given earnings with interest added on indirectly then can that money be given away to charity or used for zakah purposes ?

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem,

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


Praise be to Allah, who is the Lord of the Worlds, and may Endless Blessings be showered upon our Master the Most Beloved Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam).


Jazak'Allah for your valued question. Although interest is haram and forbidden, nevertheless a difference has been drawn by scholars, in relation to interest given or taken from Muslims, and interest given or taken from a non-Islamic state. A full guide, along with proofs, and evidence has been given in the ask imam archive, (madhhabs), under the heading 'loans and interest.'


In summary, because most of our money is related to some form of interest, then there is no alternative, but to forgo the obligation of paying zakah, which is obligatory (fard). It would be virtually impossible, that a person pays zakah with money that has no sign of interest in it, then such money would definitely not be the pound, or the dollar. For a more clear understanding, please look under loans and interest.


Once you have read my previous reply Insha'Allah you will then understand the issue of interest given, or taken in a non Islamic state, bearing in mind the fact that almost everything we buy or sell, is to some extent, tainted with interest, in one form or another.



Jazakallah Kahir,


M. Waseem Ashrafi


Related topic : Loans and Interest
Other related items : Zakat Archive