Can Bank Interest Be Spent?

The question came to Shaykh Wahid Abdus Salam Bali from a widowed sister. In reply, he did not simply say “no” — he also showed the way out.

How the Question Comes

A sister has been widowed. She has a one-year-old son in her arms. Her husband left some money behind.

The husband's family took the money that was her son's share and put it in an interest-based bank. The sister withdraws the interest that comes from it and spends it — because what she receives is not enough to run the household.

So the question is very real — standing at the edge of need, can this money be taken?

Shaykh Bali's answer came in two parts — first the ruling, then a practical alternative.

The Shaykh's Answer

Interest wipes out barakah — and the one who consumes interest is cursed on the tongue of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Shaykh says that Allah has told us that He destroys interest and increases sadaqah (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 276). So the task is to explain to the family that the money should be moved from the interest-based bank to an Islamic bank.

They may not even know that there is an alternative. The Shaykh says there are Islamic banks; even conventional banks have opened separate branches for Islamic transactions.

The Evidence — Upon Whom the Curse Falls

لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلَهُ وَشَاهِدَيْهِ وَكَاتِبَهُ

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed the one who takes interest, the one who gives it, its two witnesses and its writer — all of them. (From Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him; Sahih Muslim)Copy

The Shaykh says — whoever consumes interest is cursed on the tongue of the Prophet ﷺ. So however great the need, the solution is not in interest; the solution is in a halal alternative.

What to Do

1. Gently explain to the family — to move the money out of the interest-based bank and into an Islamic bank.
2. Not with arguing; they may not even know that a halal alternative exists.
3. If there is doubt about the profit of an Islamic bank, the Shaykh's advice is — give 20% of the profit in charity for purification and take the rest.
4. If there is nothing to doubt, that profit is halal in sha Allah — leave the rest to Allah.

Monthly Ruqyah Course

★ 12 live ruqyah sessions ★ A recorded video of every session ★ Separate session notes for every session ★ A diagnosis package worth 500 taka for just 150 taka ★ A chance to consult the raqi in a group ★ A separate Telegram group ★ A separate discussion group for brothers and sisters ★ Separate sessions for separate problems ★ A guidelines and Q&A segment in every session

The course hadiya is just 490 taka. To join, write Session in a message — I will send you the form link in sha Allah.

Source: Based on a talk by Shaykh Wahid Abdus Salam Bali

Translation and compilation: Raqi Faisal Ahmed Sabit — Al Qur'an Ruqyah Healing Center