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Sharʿi Ruling on Retaining One's Principal Capital After Repentance from Interest-Based Dealings

Author: Dr. Muhammad Ziya-ur-Rahman Azmi رحمه الله
◈ Explanation of the Qur’anic Verse on Repentance and Principal Wealth ◈


❖ The Question:​


Regarding the noble verse:


"وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ"

[Surah al-Baqarah: 279]

“And if you repent, then you are entitled to your principal amounts; you will neither oppress nor be oppressed.”


What is meant by “your principal amounts” (رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ)?

❖ Sharʿi Interpretation:​


This verse refers to two possibilities:


① The capital invested before engaging in interest.
② The total amount present at the time of repentance, including all previously earned wealth.


Most scholars adopt the first interpretation, i.e., only the initial capital is retained.


However, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Khuḍayr prefers the second view, and considers it stronger, based on the following points:

❖ Justification of the Second (Rājiḥ) Opinion:​


The verse linguistically accommodates both meanings.
✔ This interpretation aids and encourages sincere repentance.
✔ Allah ﷻ is pleased with the repentance of His servants and has commanded them to repent — it is inconceivable in reason and religion that He would obligate repentance, then make it unbearable.

❖ A Real-Life Scenario:​


Consider a person who, for years, was involved in interest-based dealings and eventually amassed great wealth — even becoming a millionaire — though he started with a small investment.
Now, if he sincerely repents, it would be unreasonable and extremely burdensome to say to him:


“Your actual capital is only the few thousand you started with; now you must give up everything else and even vacate your home.”


This burden could:

  • Push people away from repentance,
  • Lead to despair and disobedience,
  • Cause them to prefer dying in sin rather than returning to poverty,
  • And discourage others from reforming.

Thus, permitting him to retain his existing capital — up to the point of his repentance — is more practical and spiritually supportive.

❖ Conclusion:​


✔ After sincere repentance, it is permissible to retain the wealth acquired prior to repentance, even if it resulted from impermissible transactions.
✖ However, any additional amounts or interest not yet received before repentance must not be claimed.


وَاللهُ المُستَعان


📚 ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Khuḍayr – Fatāwā 1/11
 
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