Taking an interest bearing loan to buy a house

Q: I want to buy a house but I can't pay full, or get an Islamic mortgage because of my finacial situation. I am staying in a rented property, and now the time has come for me to get my son married and we need a bigger house. I wanted to rent a house, but the price is also high. I don't get a housing benefit. Can I buy a house with a non-Islamic mortgage and try my best to pay the mortgage as soon as I can?

A: Taking an interest bearing loan from the bank is haraam. Severe warnings have been sounded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith for the person who gets involved in the grave sin of interest.

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)

Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) cursed the one who consumes riba (interest), the one who feeds it to others, the one who records it (i.e. the transaction) and those who are witness to it (i.e. the transaction). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also said, “All of them are equal (in sin).”

Hence, it is not permissible for you to take an interest bearing loan from the bank.

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

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)