Fatwa ID: 07390
Answered by: Maulana Abdoullah Limvoonheek
Question:
I bought an apartment around 10 years ago with a mortgage from a bank. Over time, the shared expenses have increased and I am paying much more by living in that apartment. I have made tauba, but I was wondering what applies in my situation if I buy a new house and keep the same amount on the bank loan, with fewer expenses per month. This will allow me to pay off the loan faster. Can I take a new mortgage with this intention? Or will I be more sinful by doing this act?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
We understand the importance of having a personal house and the situation you are in. However as Muslims, we should adopt permissible methods in purchasing properties and homes etc. instead of entering into interest transactions.
Riba is completely prohibited and it causes a person to earn the displeasure of Allah. There are severe and stern warnings in the Quran and the Ahadith.
You did it once and you made tawbah which is very good. Now you should find an alternative way to sort out the problem. You can’t go back in the same haram again. One will be sinful.
Turn to Allah and engage in dua, Allah will open a way for you.
Reference:
Maariful Quran Surah Baqarah Ayah 278, 279
يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَذَرُوۡا مَا بَقِىَ مِنَ الرِّبٰٓوا اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِيۡنَ
فَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلُوۡا فَاۡذَنُوۡا بِحَرۡبٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَرَسُوۡلِهٖۚ وَاِنۡ تُبۡتُمۡ فَلَـكُمۡ رُءُوۡسُ اَمۡوَالِكُمۡۚ لَا تَظۡلِمُوۡنَ وَلَا تُظۡلَمُوۡنَ
حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلَهُ وَشَاهِدَهُ وَكَاتِبَهُ .
Sunan Abi Dawood hadith 3333
( قوله كل قرض جر نفعا حرام ) أي إذا كان مشروطا كما علم مما نقله عن البحر ، وعن الخلاصة وفي الذخيرة وإن لم يكن النفع مشروطا في القرض ، فعلى قول الكرخي لا بأس به ويأتي تمامه.
رد المحتار ج٥ ص١٦٦
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Maulana Abdoullah Limvoonheek
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
