Fatwa: #279
Country : New Zealand
Question:
Salamu aliakum, I have a question please regarding a working task that I am asked to complete, which is basically asking me to provide an analysis and commentary on vehicle interest that the company is purchasing. Is such an act will be considered haram, as I am possibly going to be witnessing a usury deal? Thanks
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We have received your query dated witnessing a usury deal, we apologise for the belated reply, our response is as follows:
Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Noble Quran with regards to interest :
الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا ۗ وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا ۚ فَمَنْ جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَانْتَهَىٰ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خالدون
“Those who consume interest shall not stand up (on the Day of Qiyaamah) except like him whom the Shaytaan has driven mad by his touch. This (punishment) is because they say, “Trade is just like interest!” Allah has permitted trade and forbidden interest. (Referring to those who took interest before this verse was revealed, Allah says) The one to whom the advice from his Rabb (to give up interest) had come and he refrained (from interest), then for him is that (amount) which has passed and his affair rests with Allah (Allah shall decide his affair). Those who return (to dealing in interest, regarding it to be Halaal like trade) are indeed the dwellers of the Fire where they shall live forever.)”
(Surah Baqara 275)
Allah Ta’ala mentions in another place in the Holy Quran:
فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُواْ فَأْذَنُواْ بِحَرْبٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ
وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ
“If you do not (avoid interest), then be warned of war from Allaah and His Rasool (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). If you repent then you may have (only) your principal amount (the amount that you lent). Oppress not and you shall not be oppressed. ”
(Surah Baqarah 279)
Rasoolullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam mentions –
عَنْ جَابِرٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلَهُ وَكَاتِبَهُ وَشَاهِدَيْهِ وَقَالَ هُمْ سَوَاءٌ .
Hadrat Jabir radiyallahu anhu said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) cursed the accepter of interest and its payer, and one who records it, and the two witnesses, and he said: they are all equal.
(Sahih Muslim- 1598)
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُؤْكِلَهُ. قَالَ قُلْتُ وَكَاتِبَهُ وَشَاهِدَيْهِ قَالَ إِنَّمَا نُحَدِّثُ بِمَا سَمِعْنَا
Hadrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud radiyallahu anhu said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) cursed the one who accepted interest and the one who paid it I asked about the one who recorded it, and two witnesses to it. He (the narrator) said: We narrate what we have heard.
(Sahih Muslim- 1597)
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم:
“ الرِّبَا سَبْعُونَ حُوبًا أَيْسَرُهَا أَنْ يَنْكِحَ الرَّجُلُ أُمَّهُ
Hadrat Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “There are seventy degrees of usury, the least of which is equivalent to a man having intercourse with his mother.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 2274)
The above Ayāt of the Holy Qur’an and the Aḥādīth of Rasūlullāh ﷺ clearly warn against the sin of interest (Ribā) and emphasise that a Muslim should avoid it under all circumstances. Your concern about becoming involved in interest is itself a sign of the precious treasure your heart holds—the priceless treasure of Imān (faith).
Accordingly, if your occupation will require you to witness or participate in usurious transactions, we advise you to refrain from such employment and avoid any dealings connected with interest.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
Muhammad Irshad Motara
18th Safar 1448
2nd August 2026