Is one sinful while studying with a Interest (ribā)-based student loan? And will one be will considered as consuming ribā?

Q: Is one sinful while studying with a Interest (ribā)-based student loan? And will one be will considered as consuming ribā?   الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: Under the current student loan agreement the student does not consume ribā. Rather, the student agrees with the Student Loan Company, that he will pay […]

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My father said that if he gives me money as a gift, I must buy a house. Is this a type of riba statement?

Q: My father said that if he gives me money as a gift, I must buy a house.  Is this a type of riba statement?    الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: If your father gives you some money and stipulates that you must purchase a house therewith, irrespective as to whether the […]

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Is it permissible to take an offset mortgage?

Q: Many conventional banks have products called ‘Offset’ Mortgages. These are mortgages whereby:  If i have a mortgage of 50K and savings of 50K the savings offsets the interest on the remaining mortgage value. So in the above case 50K mortgage, 50K savings means zero interest.  Hence, is it permitted to take a conventional mortgage whereby […]

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Can someone stuck in a ribā-based loan give voluntary charity, or do they need to pay off the ribā-based loan first?

 Q: Can someone stuck in a riba-based loan give voluntary charity, or do they need to pay off the riba-based loan first, given that is a duty, and thereafter resume with giving voluntary charitable donations? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب   A: One who has taken a haram loan or a conventional mortgage should […]

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Are you allowed to give money to pay off someone’s debt while knowing that part of that is likely to go towards paying off interest?

Q: Are you allowed to give money to pay off someone’s debt while knowing that part of that is likely to go towards paying off of interest? The recipient of the financial help is a non-Muslim.   الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومنه الصدق والصواب A: In principle, if you gift or lend someone some money that […]

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Can rules of Ribā/usury relate to exchanging modern day goods such as mobile phones?

Q: Does ribā only relate to money and food items, or can modern day goods come under this too? Eg swapping a contemporary item -such as a mobile phone of a lower value for one of a higher value?     الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: Ribā in trade relates to the sale […]

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