Fatwa ID: 06757
Answered by: Maulana Abdel Sheik Abdel Ahad
Question:
Where can interest money be discharged? Local charity-non Muslim E.g. help the aged air ambulance. Can it be used to pay vet bills?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
There appear to be two divergent opinions held regarding the proper disposal of such wealth:
- The first opinion is that, as this is a form of obligatory charity, the rightful recipients of such wealth are only those that satisfy the criterion of eligibility to receive zakāt and other obligatory forms of charity as enumerated in the Holy Qurʾān.
It is also necessary that the recipients are granted both ownership and possession of the wealth. According to this opinion, it is not permitted to utilise such wealth directly in public welfare projects, such as building roads, bridges, public toilets, etc. This opinion has been favoured by the late Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Mufti Muḥammad Shafīʿraḥimahullāh [see: Imdād al-Muftiyyīn, p. 454],
Which is more about a cautious approach.
- The second opinion is that in addition the destitute, it is permitted to utilise such wealth directly in public welfare projects, such as building roads, bridges, public toilets, etc. According to this opinion, such wealth takes the ruling of luqaṭah – lost property which is considered sadaqah nāfilah – optional charity on behalf of the rightful owner.
Optional charity does not require tamlīk al-fuqarāʾ – granting of ownership to the destitute; therefore, this is also not a requirement for the donation of unlawful wealth. ʿAllāmah Zafar Aḥmad Usmānī raḥimahullāh has expressly ascribed this opinion to Ḥakīmul Ummah Molānā Ashraf ʿAlī Thānavī raḥimahullāh see Imdād al-Aḥkām [The Book of Zakāt, 3:47].[1]
This second opinion is more accommodating.
It is permissible to give interest money to a non-Muslim if they are poor, although, to spend it on needy Muslims will be more appropriate.[see Fatawa Rahimiyah vol9 P279 Question318]
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by ML Abu Safwaan
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1] Categories of Unlawful Wealth and the Correct Disposal of Unlawful Income By Mufti Zubair Butt
