Making taubah for taking an interest loan

Q: If a person, who in ignorance, took out an interest loan, thereafter realized his sin, made sincere taubah and made a promise to Allah never to take such loans again. However he still has the debt/loan to pay off and he doesn't have the full amount to settle it. Now going forward, does he still fall under the curse of Nabi (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), as he still has to pay off the loan and he will still be paying interest? Please advise whats the way to correct the situation.

A: He should make sincere taubah and beg Allah Ta'ala to forgive him. Apart from this, he should try his level best to pay off the loan as quick as possible, even if it be by selling the items or commodities he owns which he can do without or by taking an interest-free loan from someone. If after exhausting all efforts, he is unable to settle the loan, and is thus forced to continue paying the interest with the loan, then insha Allah, there is hope that Allah Ta'ala will forgive him.

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

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)