Q: Is it permissible in Islam to lease a building to a bank against payment of rent?
A: The majority dealings of all conventional banks are in total contradiction with the laws of Shari’ah. Their main operation revolves around interest and usury. Hence, it is not permissible to lease one’s property to a conventional bank. If one leases his property to a conventional bank, then one will be sinful on account of him aiding and supporting in sin. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quraan:
وَتَعاوَنوا عَلَى البِرِّ وَالتَّقوى وَلا تَعاوَنوا عَلَى الإِثمِ وَالعُدوان
“Assist one another in righteousness and piety, and do not assist one another in sin and transgression”
In regard to the grave sin of interest, there are many severe warnings sounded in The mubaarak Ahaadith.
عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم آكل الربا وموكله وكاتبه وشاهديه وقال هم سواء (صحيح مسلم رقم 1598)
Hadhrat Jaabir (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) cursed the one who consumes ribaa (interest), or feeds it to others, the one who records it (i.e. the transaction) and those who are witness to it (i.e. the transaction). And he said: “All of them are equal (in sin)”.
عن أبى هريرة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ليأتين على الناس زمان لا يبقى أحد إلا أكل الربا فإن لم يأكله أصابه من بخاره (سنن الترمذي رقم 3333)
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Anhu) mentions that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “A time will definitely dawn upon the ummah when everyone will consume interest. If someone does not consume it (interest), the evil effects will definitely affect him.”
عن عبد الله بن حنظلة غسيل الملائكة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم درهم ربا يأكله الرجل وهو يعلم أشد من ستة وثلاثين زنية (مسند أحمد رقم 21957)
Hadhrat Abdullah ibnu Hanzalah (Radiallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “If a person knowingly deals in one dirham of interest, it is worse than committing adultery thirty six times”.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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