I have a question regarding interest. Firstly I would like to make it known that all my family is Muslim and we currently reside in Western Europe. I currently am a first year University student , in my country there is something called the Maintenance loan , which is a loan that can be taken not for the sake of the tuition fees of the university but to support a student in general while studying. This loan is entirely based on interest and ican be very desirable as it has very low interest rates and must also not be paid back till one finds themselves in a stable job hence maybe 10+years. I myself glory be to Allah have no need to take this loan as I am financially stable and have grants from the university itself. However my father has told me that I should take the full amount of this loan as it has very low interest rates. I have told him I do not need this money however he wants it for his personal gain and business endeavours. I know the great risk of interest and that it is very harmful. My question is what should I do in this scenario, would sin fall onto me?
Praise
be to Allah
It is not permissible for you to take this loan, no matter
how low the interest rate, because Allah has forbidden contracts that
involve riba, whether the riba is great or small, even if it is only one
dirham, and He has warned the one who consumes it and the one who pays it of
punishment, wrath and curses. So beware lest you be one of them.
“Those who eat Ribâ (usury) will
not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person
beaten by Shaitân (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say:
“Trading is only like Ribâ (usury),” whereas Allâh has permitted trading and
forbidden Ribâ (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord
and stops eating Ribâ (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case
is for Allâh (to judge); but whoever returns [to Ribâ (usury)], such are the
dwellers of the Fire – they will abide therein.
Allâh will
destroy Ribâ (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqât (deeds of charity,
alms, etc.) And Allâh likes not the disbelievers, sinners.
Truly
those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât),
and give Zakât, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall
be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
O you who
believe! Fear Allâh and give up what remains (due to you) from Ribâ (usury)
(from now onward), if you are (really) believers.
And if you
do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allâh and His Messenger but if
you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking
more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by
receiving less than your capital sums).
And if the
debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy
for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for
you if you did but know.
And fear
the Day when you shall be brought back to Allâh. Then every person shall be
paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly”
[al-Baqarah 2:275-281].
The Prophet of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) cursed the one who consumes riba and the one who pays it. Narrated by
al-Bukhaari (5962).
It is not permissible for you to obey your father in that,
because the rights of Allah and obedience to Him take precedence over the
rights of the father and obedience to him. The Prophet (blessings and peace
of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no obedience if it involves
disobedience towards Allah; obedience is only in that which is right and
proper.” Narrated by Muslim (1840).
For more information, please see the answers to questions no.
181723 and 96613.
And Allah knows best.
