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Fatwa CenterGetting rid of Riba money by giving it to a needy sister and her husband
Question
Assalamalaikum wa rahmatullah
I was having interest money generated on my savings account (can’t open current a/c co’z I’m an NRI) my sister was very much in need her husband was saving money since and they were managing to live in a locality not suitable for them n’their children so I gave them interest money without informing them and they bought a small house elsewhere but I’m not at ease since I keep thinking that I would have helped them with my proper money why I’ve given them this haram money please let me know what i did was right or wrong May ALLAH(swt) forgive me for that .
Jazakallah khairun
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 
is His slave and Messenger.
We have already issued Fataawa 81626 and 81349 clarifying that it is forbidden to open an account in a bank that deals with Riba (interest and/or usury) except in case of necessity, and when there is a necessity, one should open a current account as it is free from interest. If this is not possible, then you may open a saving account, in which case, you are obliged to get rid of the interest by spending it in charitable fields or by giving it to the poor and needy.
Since your sister and her husband are among the poor and needy, then you may give it to them and you are not obliged to inform them about the source of this money.
In any case, it would have been better and more rewarding to give them a charity from your own lawful money by because by giving the interests, you are getting rid of the forbidden money and you will be rewarded for abiding by the Order of Allaah. But in case of giving lawful money, you are abiding by the Order of Allaah and at the same time, you are giving charity. The Prophet said: “Indeed, Allaah is Tayyib (i.e. Good) and He accepts only that which is good.” [Muslim]
Allaah Knows best.
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