Q: Before our marriage, my wife financed a car with an interest-bearing loan. I am not on the loan or title and had no involvement in the original contract. After marriage, I voluntarily began making the monthly payments. About $15,000 remains.
Recently, I became concerned that making these payments may involve me in riba, so I offered to pay the entire balance immediately. My wife asked me to continue the regular payments for two more months because of a pending diminished-value insurance claim. I made one more monthly payment, despite being financially able to pay off the loan.
My questions are:
Am I sinful or considered the “payer of riba” mentioned in the hadith because I make payments on my wife's interest-bearing loan, even though I am not the borrower or owner? Was I sinful for making another monthly payment after I was able and willing to pay off the loan in full?
A: If you did not have any knowledge of this being an interest bearing loan and you were paying on behalf of your wife, you are not sinful. However, if you had knowledge of this being an interest bearing loan and you continued paying the loan amount with the interest, then you will be sinful. You and your wife should make sincere taubah and end this as quick as possible.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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