Using interest money to offset lawyer's fees

Q: We purchased a property in a syndicate and the money held by the lawyers as a guarantee was invested in a money market account and accrued interest.

Can this money be used to offset the lawyers fee or does it have to be given out with no intention.

A: This is haraam money and it cannot be used to pay for services. Since the lawyer's fee is in exchange of a valid service that you have taken from the lawyer, it is not permissible for you to pay him from this haraam money. The money must be given to a poor person without the intention of receiving any reward.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)