Fatwa ID: 09074
Answered by Muftiyah Maryam Badshah
Question:
Hi. I hope you are well.
I am currently living in the United Kingdom and I would like to pursue university studies. However, my financial situation is very difficult, and I am unable to afford the cost of education.
The only option available to me is to take a government student loan (Student Finance). I understand that this loan includes additional charges (interest), and I feel confused about its ruling in Islam, especially due to differing opinions—particularly since the loan is repaid in a way that considers the student’s financial situation (for example, repayment depends on income and ability to pay).
Therefore, I would like to ask: is it permissible for me to take this loan given my current situation, as I have no other alternative to pursue my studies? I also live alone in the UK, and my residency may expire in the coming years.
May Allah reward you for your time and assistance.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Assalaamu ‘alaykum,
Allah ﷻ says: “Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, “Trade is like interest.” But Allāh has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allāh. But whoever returns [to dealing in interest or usury] – those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein Allāh destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allāh does not like any sinful disbeliever. ” Surah Baqarah (2:275-6) [1]
Allah ﷻ has explicitly forbidden usury (riba) in the Qur’an. It is not only a major sin, but also has severe consequences. As such, taking a loan that will inevitably incur interest is impermissible (haram). In the UK, the government has plans to introduce an interest-free student loan scheme that is intended to be compliant with Islamic finance principles, known as “alternative student finance” (ASF) that you may wish to look into.[2]
Allah (swt) says: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains of interest if you are believers And if you do not, then be informed of a war from Allah and His Messenger. And if you repent, then for you is your capital. Do not wrong and you will not be wronged ” Surah Baqarah (2:278-9) [3]
Whilst it may cause inconvenience or a lack of certain qualifications for yourself, the repercussions of disobeying Allah ﷻ, especially in regards to riba, is something which is far more grave. As seen in the ayahs above, several punishments are given to those who deal in riba. For those who do not leave riba, the one who deals in riba will be publicly punished and disgraced on the Day of Judgement, their wealth and blessings destroyed by riba, they will be considered disbelievers and at war with Allah ﷻ and the Prophet ﷺ, and their final destination will be Jahannam for eternity.[4]
An individual does not require a university degree in order to earn a living in the UK. As such, you should look into alternative routes of education you could take if you are unable to obtain a loan through family or halal means. Have trust in Allah ﷻ and make abundant du’a for ease and relief from the situation you are in.[5]
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Muftiyah Maryam Badshah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا ۗ وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا ۚ فَمَن جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىٰ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ
Qur’an (2:275-6)
[2]
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alternative-student-finance/alternative-student-finance
[3]
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ
Qur’an (2:278-9)
[4]
وَفِي الْمِعْرَاجِ ذَكَرَ اللَّهُ لِآكِلِ الرِّبَا خَمْسَ عُقُوبَاتٍ أَحَدُهَا التَّخَبُّطُ قَالَ تَعَالَى {لا يَقُومُونَ إِلا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ} [البقرة: ٢٧٥]… وَالثَّانِي الْمَحْقُ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا} [البقرة: ٢٧٦] وَالْمُرَادُ الْهَلَاكُ، وَالِاسْتِئْصَالُ، وَقِيلَ ذَهَابُ الْبَرَكَةِ وَالِاسْتِمْتَاعِ… وَالثَّالِثُ الْحَرْبُ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ} [البقرة: ٢٧٩]… الرَّابِعُ الْكُفْرُ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ} [البقرة: ٢٧٨]… وَالْخَامِسُ الْخُلُودُ فِي النَّارِ قَالَ تَعَالَى {وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ} [البقرة: ٢٧٥]…
Al-Bahr Al-Rāiq (Vol.6, pg.137, Dār Al-Kitab Al-Islami)
[5]
كُلُّ قَرْضٍ جَرَّ نَفْعًا حَرَامٌ فَكُرِهَ لِلْمُرْتَهِنِ سُكْنَى الْمَرْهُونَةِ بِإِذْنِ الرَّاهِنِ
Raddul Muhtār (Vol.5, pg.166, Dār Al-Fiqr)
… وَالْفِضَّةُ بِالْفِضَّةِ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ يَدًا بِيَدٍ، وَالْفَضْلُ رِبًا، وَالذَّهَبُ بِالذَّهَبِ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ يَدًا بِيَدٍ، وَالْفَضْلُ رِبًا» أَيْ: بِيعُوا الْحِنْطَةَ بِالْحِنْطَةِ مِثْلًا بِمِثْلٍ يَدًا بِيَدٍ
Badā’i’ Al-Ṣanā’i’ (Vol.5, pg.183, Dār Al-Kutub Al-’Ilmiyyah)
فَيَكُونُ رِبًا كَمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ عَلَى آخَرَ أَلْفُ دِرْهَمٍ فَصَالَحَهُ عَلَى أَلْفٍ وَخَمْسِمِائَةٍ، أَنَّ الصُّلْحَ يَكُونُ بَاطِلًا كَذَا هَذَا، وَهَذَا عَلَى أَصْلِهِمَا مُطَّرِدٌ؛ لِأَنَّ عِنْدَهُمَا أَنَّ مَنْ أَتْلَفَ عَلَى آخَرَ مَا لَا مِثْلَ لَهُ، أَوْ غَصَبَ مِنْهُ مَا لَا مِثْلَ لَهُ فَهَلَكَ فِي يَدِهِ
Badā’i’ Al-Ṣanā’i’ (Vol.4, pg.90, Dār Al-Kutub Al-’Ilmiyyah)