Q: Is it haram to pay interest is one is forced to? For example if the government charges you a tax penalty and includes interest in it, is it haram
for you to pay it? What if you're writing a check on someone else's behalf, is it haram for you to write it?
A:
1. If their is no negligence caused from one's side and one is forced to pay the interest, then one will not be sinful.
2. One should refrain from this. There are severe warnings mentioned in the Hadith for the one who has any involvement in interest.
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 the sin of interest).”
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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