Date : 08-06-2010

Question :

Is it permissible for me to take a loan from a usurious bank to make a particular project in case I found nobody to lend me the needed money? What is the ruling or the expiation of this loan?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.


 


Usury is forbidden and there is no justification whatsoever for dealing with it. The evidence on this is that Allah the Almighty Says {what means}: "O ye who believe! Fear God, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, Take notice of war from God and His Apostle: But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly." {Al-Baqarah, 278-279}.


When a Muslim is in dire need or in actual hardship, he/she must turn to Allah for help, and look for lawful means to meet these needs since Allah the Exalted says {what means}: "Thus when they fulfil their term appointed, either take them back on equitable terms or part with them on equitable terms; and take for witness two persons from among you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (as) before God. Such is the admonition given to him who believes in God and the Last Day. And for those who fear God, He (ever) prepares a way out, And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in God, sufficient is (God) for him. For God will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has God appointed a due proportion." {At-Talaq, 2-3}.


As for the Muslim who has already taken a usurious loan, he/she must make sincere repentance to Allah, show remorse and be determined not to commit this act again. We ask Allah to forgive such person. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.