Fatwa ID: 03138
Answered by: Maulana Abdul Muktader
Question:
A husband works and lives in Canberra and a wife lives in Melbourne with her kids. The wife needs a car in Melbourne to buy groceries, medical appointments, and get to other commitments for her children, thus she has a car. The husband also needs the usage of a car to go to work (and public transport is not good in Canberra). His current car is very old and can break down anytime and needs to be replaced. The family doesn't have the financial ability to buy another car. In this situation can he purchase on interest term as there are no interest-free finances available for cars in Australia? This car would be the only car the husband would own if he were to replace his current car.
Jazak'Allah
Answer:
In The Name Of Allah, The Most-Merciful, The Most Kind
Dear respected brother, with great consideration at your situation, we can conclude that unfortunately, you will not be permitted to purchase a car on interest as your need is merely an inconvenience, not a necessity. There are other alternatives to your case, for example, leasing a car, taking a 0% interest rate loan from corporate or private companies (although very difficult to obtain) or even ask friends and family to lend you money, interest-free so that you will be able to purchase a car within your means. Difficulty and necessity are taken into consideration in those situations wherein there is no text mentioned I.e in the Quran or Hadith. As for in the presence of a text in a situation which is contrary to it, then it is not taken into consideration. Dealing with interest in any way, whether being a consumer or seller, both are explicitly contrary to the texts. These are some evidence which clearly determines interest as unlawful;
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ – 2:278
فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ – 2:279
وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ – 2:280
O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged. And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. But if you give [from your right as] charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا الرِّبَا أَضْعَافًا مُّضَاعَفَةً ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ – 3:130
O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful.
عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال: (لعن رسول الله صلّى الله عليه وسلّم: آكل الرّبا، وموكله، وكاتبه، وشاهديه، وقال: هم سواء) رواه مسلم.
Jabir said that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) cursed the accepter of interest and its payer, and one who records it, and the two witnesses, and he said: They are all equal.
Sahih Muslim: 1598
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Abdul Muktader
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
