Ruling on buying a mosque with an interest-based loan
We are a group of foreign Muslims living in Germany. We have a place which we rent for the daily prayers, Jumuah and Eid. But because there are so many people praying there – praise be to Allah – the German government will no longer allow us to pray there, because the place is too small and is a place that is not suitable. Now we want to buy a big place outside the city, and the German authorities have agreed that we may buy it. The place costs 3.5 million deutschmarks, and we have only 1.5 million deutschmarks. Is it permissible for us to take out a loan from the bank to cover the outstanding amount and buy this place with riba (interest)? Is this considered to be a necessity? If we buy it with riba, is it permissible to pray in it until we have other places in the city to pray in? Please advise us, may Allah reward you.
Praise be to Allah.
It is not permissible for you to take out a loan with riba (interest), because Allah has prohibited riba and has issued the strongest warning to those who deal in it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed the one who consumes riba, the one who gives it, the two who witness it and the one who writes it down. Riba is not permitted under any circumstances whatsoever. Do not buy the place to which you refer unless you have the financial resources to buy it without resorting to riba. Pray as best you can, all together or separated into a number of groups in different places.
And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.
Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, 13/290
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Praise be to Allah.
It is not permissible for you to take out a loan with riba (interest), because Allah has prohibited riba and has issued the strongest warning to those who deal in it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed the one who consumes riba, the one who gives it, the two who witness it and the one who writes it down. Riba is not permitted under any circumstances whatsoever. Do not buy the place to which you refer unless you have the financial resources to buy it without resorting to riba. Pray as best you can, all together or separated into a number of groups in different places.
And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.
Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, 13/290
Buy Cheap Darussalam Islamic Books
