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What is the ruling on establishing a private project with guarantees from the state and loans from banks and associations, given the scarcity of available job opportunities except for those with influence or by paying bribes?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is permissible to take a benevolent loan (Qard Hasan) to establish a project, with the intention of repaying it, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever takes people's money with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it with the intention of wasting it, Allah will waste him." As for an interest-bearing loan (riba), it is not permissible, no matter how small the interest, due to the prohibition of usury and the curse associated with it for those who consume it and those who provide it. There is no difference whether it is with the state or otherwise. The avenues of lawful sustenance are many, and whoever fears Allah, He will provide for him from where he does not expect, as Allah the Almighty says: "And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect." It is not permissible to hasten sustenance by committing unlawful acts, for the Holy Spirit breathed into the Prophet's soul that no soul will die until it has completed its provision. So, let the servant fear his Lord and be moderate in seeking sustenance, and let not the slowness of provision lead him to seek it through disobedience to Allah, for what is with Allah cannot be attained except through His obedience. The Permanent Committee has issued a fatwa stating that a loan with 9% interest is not permissible because it is clear usury, and a Muslim must seek provision from a lawful source.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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