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Fatwa CenterHis non-Muslim mother opened a Riba-based bank account in his name
Question
salaam aleykum,
When I was born my mother (non-muslim)opened a bankaccount on my name. Recently I got married and she said I can now receive the money from this account. But what do I have to do with the interest? She opened the account so I think the sin is hers, but I'm confused about it because she opened the account on my own name.
Answer
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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
It is obligatory upon the Muslim to get rid of usurious bank interests by spending them on the Muslims' public interests that are common for all Muslims, such as paving the roads and building bridges, schools, hospitals, orphanages, or the like. They may be given to the poor and needy people. Thus, you have to dispose of these bank interests and you are not allowed to use this money unless you are a poor or a needy person.
The fact that your mother was the one who opened the account in your name exempts you from sin. Yet, this does not entitle you to use the unlawful money. That is because when someone gives a Muslim some money as a gift which contains a specific unlawful amount, he must get rid of the unlawful amount. After that, he is allowed to use the remaining money.
Also, it is not permissible for you to keep that account in a usurious bank. However, if you are obliged to keep your money in such a bank for fear of theft, for instance, then you are allowed to keep it in a current account. For further information, see Fataawa 97149 and 90054.
Allaah Knows best.
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