Fatwa ID: 06897
Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain
Question:
I wanted to know if it’s permissible to buy a used car from Bristol Street Motors using their 0% APR offer. They do this event every quarter of the year for a few days where they sell used cars with 0% APR. I think this is like interestfree4cars.com
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
According to their website, this is a special offer which is given as an option to encourage buyers. The promotion runs between 8th and 18th July 2022. They offer between 2-5 years with 0% APR depending on how much you borrow. The minimum is £7,000 and the maximum is £30,000. [1]
The prohibition of riba and usury (interest) is very clear from Shariah. There are several verses and Hadith which completely prohibit it.
Allāh Ta’ālā has said, O you who have believed, fear Allāh 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 Allāh and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – (thus) you do no wrong, nor are you wronged. [Surah Al-Baqarah; 2:278-279] [2]
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ cursed the one who accepted usury, the one who paid it, the witness to it, and the one who recorded it. [Sunan Abi Dawood: Hadith 3333] [3]
These narrations are very clear; the one who takes riba, gives it, witnesses it and records it, all are cursed.
If one is certain that they can repay the full amount within the period allotted which is interest-free, then it may be permissible for them to proceed in it. However, the best and most precautionary measure would be to avoid it, as such dealings take one very close to Harām. A single missed payment or change in financial capabilities could force one to default on payments which could then incur charges which would all be deemed as riba.
Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.
Written by Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1] https://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/used-car-event/
[2]يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَذَرُواْ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓاْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ. فَإِن لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلُواْ فَأۡذَنُواْ بِحَرۡب مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۖ وَإِن تُبۡتُمۡ فَلَكُمۡ رُءُوسُ أَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡ لَا تَظۡلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظۡلَمُونَ{.
[3]حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سِمَاكٌ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلَهُ وَشَاهِدَهُ وَكَاتِبَهُ .
