because taking it is not permissible. For if a person were to take it, his soul might overcome him and he would not dispose of it, especially if it is a large amount. Suppose the interest reaches one million riyals: a person might take it intending to rid himself of it, but his soul overcomes him so he keeps it. Furthermore, if a Muslim takes it, others may follow his example, not knowing that he took it merely to give it away in charity, for instance; consequently, other people would take it and not give it in charity. Moreover, if we deter people from taking interest from banks, it will compel them to establish Islamic banks founded upon Islamic law (sharīʿah).

Therefore, what I hold is that taking interest (ribā) is impermissible under any circumstances, except that we suspend judgment regarding this last scenario: namely, if these oppressive banks belong to an authority that imposes taxes on people, and a person takes from the interest an amount equivalent to the injustice inflicted upon him in order to pay it back to this oppressive state. This is a matter on which I withhold judgment; and Allah knows best what is right.

The esteemed Shaykh—may Allah Almighty have mercy on him—was asked: "There are some charitable societies that collect funds for the residents of cold regions, using a slogan such as: 'Contribute with us to purchase winter blankets,' for example. Then they might spend a portion of these funds to buy other necessities besides blankets that these poor people need. Is the intended purpose considered one and the same?"

He replied saying: "It is preferable that the wording used by this charity be: