The ruling on borrowing from an interest-based bank without interest
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
There is a man who wants to borrow from an interest-based bank on the condition of no increase?
Meaning he borrows from it.
The questioner: Yes, so what is its ruling?The Shaykh: There is no harm; it is permissible for a person to borrow from an interest-based bank without interest. It is also permissible to buy goods from them if they have goods for sale, and it is permissible to sell to them as well. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with the Jews, bought from them, accepted their sacrificial animals, and accepted their invitations to eat, even though it is well known that the Jews used to deal in interest and consume illicit earnings.And the principle in my view is: What is forbidden to earn is forbidden only for the one who earns it. As for others, it is lawful for them if they obtain it through a lawful means. Who is the one for whom what is forbidden to earn is forbidden?The questioner: The one who earns it.
The Shaykh: So, if one takes it from this earner through a lawful means, it is not forbidden. However, what is forbidden in itself, such as something usurped that you know is usurped or stolen, is not lawful for you to accept or buy. Likewise, what is forbidden in itself generally, such as intoxicants and tobacco and the like, is not permissible for you to accept or buy.
Therefore: What was the answer to your question?The questioner: It is permissible.
The Shaykh: It is permissible to borrow from the bank without riba (usury or interest).
Meaning he borrows from it.
The questioner: Yes, so what is its ruling?The Shaykh: There is no harm; it is permissible for a person to borrow from an interest-based bank without interest. It is also permissible to buy goods from them if they have goods for sale, and it is permissible to sell to them as well. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with the Jews, bought from them, accepted their sacrificial animals, and accepted their invitations to eat, even though it is well known that the Jews used to deal in interest and consume illicit earnings.And the principle in my view is: What is forbidden to earn is forbidden only for the one who earns it. As for others, it is lawful for them if they obtain it through a lawful means. Who is the one for whom what is forbidden to earn is forbidden?The questioner: The one who earns it.
The Shaykh: So, if one takes it from this earner through a lawful means, it is not forbidden. However, what is forbidden in itself, such as something usurped that you know is usurped or stolen, is not lawful for you to accept or buy. Likewise, what is forbidden in itself generally, such as intoxicants and tobacco and the like, is not permissible for you to accept or buy.
Therefore: What was the answer to your question?The questioner: It is permissible.
The Shaykh: It is permissible to borrow from the bank without riba (usury or interest).