What does one do if he bought a car through what claims to be an Islamic bank?

The Shaykh : ... and may Allah have mercy on you.

The questioner : The Shaykh al-Albani:

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : I am speaking from the Emirates.

The Shaykh : Welcome.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. I listened to a tape yesterday regarding dealing with Islamic banks.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : I was informed that it is, well, just a path to riba (usury or interest), with some twisting and turning, I mean.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : So I bought a car, and I want to purify my money. How is that done?

The Shaykh : Purify your money?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Since when did you deposit your money in the so-called Islamic bank?

The questioner : I mean, I bought a car through the bank in this manner.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : I mean, its value was forty thousand, and through the bank they made it forty-three thousand for me. It was Dubai Islamic Bank.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : So I do not know how it stands now. Should I sell the car, or what?

The Shaykh : And when is the payment completed?

The questioner : The payment was completed and it is done. I mean, the car has been with me for about two years.

The Shaykh : Ah, so you paid off what was due on you.

The questioner : I paid off everything that was due on me.

The Shaykh : Ah, and the car remained for your personal account?

The questioner : Yes, it is with me.

The Shaykh : Okay, when you dealt with the bank and paid the extra three thousand, were you convinced that this transaction was Sharia-compliant?

The questioner : Yes, I was convinced, I mean, and that is why I went to Dubai Islamic Bank.

The Shaykh : Then your matter is easy, if Allah wills. It is that you repent for what you did, resolve not to return to it, and do as many good deeds as you are able, especially by giving charity from your lawful wealth. Is the answer clear?

The questioner : Yes?

The Shaykh : Is the answer clear?

The questioner : It is clear, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Okay, is there anything else?

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh: Peace be upon you.

The questioner : I called yesterday and they told me that you were, I mean, ill. May Allah heal you, if Allah wills.

The Shaykh : May Allah preserve you. I was not ill; perhaps I was resting and sleeping. As for me, praise be to Allah.

The questioner : Praise be to Allah.

The Shaykh : And even if I am approaching eighty, I am not ill.

The questioner : What Allah willed.

The Shaykh : But I am an old Shaykh.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : May Allah keep you safe.

The questioner: Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.