Is it permissible for a person to borrow money from an interest-based bank without interest?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : There is a man who wants to borrow from an interest-based bank on the condition of no increase?
The Shaykh : On the condition of what?
The student: Without an increase, they do not add to it.
The Shaykh : Meaning he borrows from it.
The questioner : Yes, so what is its ruling?
The Shaykh : There is no harm, meaning it is permissible for a person to borrow from an interest-based bank without riba (usury or interest), and it is permissible to buy a commodity from it if it has commodities to sell, and it is permissible to sell to it as well. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with the Jews; he bought from them, accepted their sacrificial animals, responded to their invitations, and ate with them, even though it is well known that the Jews used to do what? They dealt in riba (usury or interest) and ate illicitly. The principle in my view is: that which is forbidden for its acquisition is forbidden only for the acquirer, but for others it is lawful if it is obtained through a lawful means. Did you understand the principle?
That which is forbidden for its acquisition is forbidden for whom? For the acquirer. So if it is taken from this acquirer through a lawful means, it is not forbidden. However, that which is forbidden in itself, such as a stolen item, if you know that this item is stolen or that it is stolen, it is not permissible for you to accept it or to buy it. Likewise, that which is forbidden in itself generally, such as khamr (intoxicants) and tobacco, for example, and the like, it is not permissible to accept it or to buy it.
So: what was the answer to your question?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, the answer to your question
The questioner : is that it is permissible
The Shaykh : It is permissible to borrow from the bank without riba (usury or interest).
The Shaykh : On the condition of what?
The student: Without an increase, they do not add to it.
The Shaykh : Meaning he borrows from it.
The questioner : Yes, so what is its ruling?
The Shaykh : There is no harm, meaning it is permissible for a person to borrow from an interest-based bank without riba (usury or interest), and it is permissible to buy a commodity from it if it has commodities to sell, and it is permissible to sell to it as well. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dealt with the Jews; he bought from them, accepted their sacrificial animals, responded to their invitations, and ate with them, even though it is well known that the Jews used to do what? They dealt in riba (usury or interest) and ate illicitly. The principle in my view is: that which is forbidden for its acquisition is forbidden only for the acquirer, but for others it is lawful if it is obtained through a lawful means. Did you understand the principle?
That which is forbidden for its acquisition is forbidden for whom? For the acquirer. So if it is taken from this acquirer through a lawful means, it is not forbidden. However, that which is forbidden in itself, such as a stolen item, if you know that this item is stolen or that it is stolen, it is not permissible for you to accept it or to buy it. Likewise, that which is forbidden in itself generally, such as khamr (intoxicants) and tobacco, for example, and the like, it is not permissible to accept it or to buy it.
So: what was the answer to your question?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, the answer to your question
The questioner : is that it is permissible
The Shaykh : It is permissible to borrow from the bank without riba (usury or interest).