Islam prohibits the taking and giving of interest. This presents problems in non-Islamic economic systems that are built on interest based finance.
But what should one do about the unsolicited interest accumulated in one’s own bank account? This moral question is one that confronts many of us.
Since it is not permissible to utilise interest for one’s own benefit one should give it to charity. Although there is no religious reward for doing so it at least disposes of the haram funds in a shariah-compliant way.
‘O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains of your demand for usury if you are indeed believers. If you don’t, take notice of war from Allah and His messenger. But if you turn back, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.’
[Q 278-279]
Included under this broad heading are earnings generated by not only the sales of haram items, but also halal items acquired though haram means such as lying to get welfare benefits or short-measuring customers.
Here the method of disposal is to return items to the rightful owners. If this is not possible because the owner is not known or any other legitimate reason, then the method of disposal is the same as that of interest money.
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