Taking an interest free loan from the government

Q: The government I live in help the citizens with a payment of the house or flat when you are moving and give you a support/loan. The loan is interest free the first 5 years so you don’t have to pay the interest and their intention is to help out the citizens because it’s in the law. You can make a plan with them that they take every month from my student allowance until the loan is paid and it will be interest free. Can I take this loan or is it haram?

A: It is permissible for you to take the interest free loan from the government, provided that you ensure that you pay it before five years (i.e. before it accrues interest).

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)