What do I do with interest money from my bank account?

Don't use it yourself

Interest isn't considered rightfully yours, even if the bank paid it automatically. So you shouldn't spend it on yourself or your family, use it for bills, or count it as part of your savings for zakat. See Do I pay zakat on my savings account?

Where it goes

Most scholars say to take the interest out of the bank, rather than leaving it, and use it for:

• the poor and needy,
• public benefits like roads, toilets, wells or hospitals,
• paying off someone else's unjust debts or fees, in some views.

Many scholars say not to use it for building mosques or printing Qurans, out of respect for them. Some also allow using it to pay unavoidable unjust charges like bank fees on the same account; ask your local scholar.

It isn't zakat or charity

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Allah is Good and He therefore accepts only that which is good" (Sahih Muslim 1015). Giving away interest is about getting rid of what isn't yours, not earning reward for charity. So:

• don't count it toward your zakat,
• don't think of it as your sadaqah,
• but do hope for reward for obeying Allah by avoiding riba.

Stop it at the source

• Switch to a current account or an interest-free savings account.
• Look for Islamic banks or Shariah-compliant savings products in your country.
• Turn off interest on brokerage cash. See Can I invest in stocks as a Muslim?

Interest you earned before becoming Muslim is forgiven along with your past, though many scholars recommend giving away interest that's still in your account when you convert. Paying interest raises related issues; see Can I still use my credit card after becoming Muslim?