Fatwa #14213 November 2000Pakistan
Buying Land for Masjid on Interest (Riba)
Question
Can we buy land for masjid on interest? The imam of the local masjid says that according to Fatawa Alamgiri riba is not haram in Dar-ul-Harb and he calls USA as Dar-ul-Harb. Please explain in detail.
Answer
According to the overwhelming majority of the Muslim Jurists, there is no
difference in the prohibition of interest between a Muslim and non-Muslim
anywhere, Darul Islam (Islamic state) or Darul Harb (a state of ongoing
conflict with Muslims).
In the early days of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) many Muslims
used to enter into Riba transactions with non-Muslims, but when Riba was
prohibited, they stopped this practice totally. The Aayats of the Noble Qur'
an which prohibited Riba did not differentiate between a Muslim and
non-Muslim. Similarly, there is no example in the days of the Sahaaba (RA)
where anyone of the Sahaaba (RA) entered into Riba transaction with a
non-Muslim after the prohibition was enforced. Therefore, one cannot be
advised to take an interest-bearing loan, even in a non-Muslim country.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.
difference in the prohibition of interest between a Muslim and non-Muslim
anywhere, Darul Islam (Islamic state) or Darul Harb (a state of ongoing
conflict with Muslims).
In the early days of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) many Muslims
used to enter into Riba transactions with non-Muslims, but when Riba was
prohibited, they stopped this practice totally. The Aayats of the Noble Qur'
an which prohibited Riba did not differentiate between a Muslim and
non-Muslim. Similarly, there is no example in the days of the Sahaaba (RA)
where anyone of the Sahaaba (RA) entered into Riba transaction with a
non-Muslim after the prohibition was enforced. Therefore, one cannot be
advised to take an interest-bearing loan, even in a non-Muslim country.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.