Question # 244: If in a family in a mother’s account only 20k there and rest is interest accumulated which is getting rid slowly as she got had no ilm before. She has an elder son who SEPARATED on cordial notes. He’s suffering from colon cancer. Two major surgeries done and expenses too high. Cancer treatment needs lot of money relatives have had also helped. Can this interest money be given to him as he’s in need of money n they don’t live in a joint family. JazakAllahu khayran. Also they don’t have savings all well to do but Alhamdulillah still Allah’s mercy is there.

Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Answer: Putting money in the bank for interest is emphatically forbidden, and is a major sin. (Refer Question # 7 & Question # 112 for details). However, if a person has engaged in riba [for example, by way of receiving bank interest], then he has to repent to Allah by giving up the sin, regretting what he has done, resolving not to go back to it, and getting rid of the haraam interest by spending it on charitable causes. He is not allowed to benefit from it himself or spend it on those on whom he is obliged to spend. (Refer Question # 224 for details). 

Hence, in this case, it is permissible for the mother to get rid of this interest by giving it to her son who is in dire need, since, it is not obligatory for her to spend on her son.

Moreover, even if she has to spend on him, she still can spend the money on his treatment due to the necessity involved. Necessities permit prohibited matters (Dr. Main Khalid Al-Qudah, Member of the Fatwa Committee of Assembly of Muslim Jurists in America)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam