How do we deal with interest from current accounts in conventional banks in terms of Zakat?

Answered by Shaykh Amjad Rasheed

Question:

I pay money to the mosque for its maintenance and to help pay off its debt, so does that money count as paying zakat?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Bank interest is unlawful (haram) money when a result of riba-based arrangements. As such, it is not part of one�s wealth even when placed in one’s account. Rather, it remains the property of its right owners.

Given this, no zakat is due on the bank interest, because it is not your property.

It is not permitted for you to use money that is not yours. Rather, if you are are able to return it to its rightful owners, you must do so. When you cannot return it to its rightful owners--as is the case with bank interest--then it is considered ‘lost wealth’ (amwal da’i`a) that must be directed to the general interests of Muslims, such as the poor, students of knowledge, mosques, and the like.

Amjad Rasheed

(Translated by Faraz Rabbani)

السؤال الأول : كيف أتعامل مع الفوائد في الحساب الجاري في البنك من حيث الزكاة ؟ الجواب : الفوائد البنكية إن كانت ثمرة عمل ربوي فهي مال حرام لا تملكه حتى لو جعلوه في حسابك بل هو باقٍ على ملك صاحبه , وبناء على ذلك فلا زكاة عليك في هذه الفوائد لأنها ليست ملكك ، ولا يجوز لك التصرف فيها بل إن استطعت ردها لصاحبها فيجب ذلك وإلا كما هو الحال مع البنك فهي من جملة الأموال الضائعة يجب صرفها في مصالح المسلمين كالفقراء وطلاب العلم والمساجد ونحوها .  



 

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