Is the variable interest disbursed from the Platinum investment certificates at the National Bank of Egypt permissible or forbidden, and is it considered usury? What is the ruling on the amounts that have been disbursed from it previously, and what is the ruling on using them to complete the price of purchasing an apartment?

We have previously clarified the impermissibility of investment certificates of all kinds, because they are usury (riba) with which it is not permissible to deal. The assertion that there is no usury between the state and its citizens is the most corrupt of statements, because usurious banks are not wholly owned by the state. The saying, "There is no usury between the state and its citizens," has no basis in Islamic law nor is it based on a sound analogy; it is a word cast forth by Satan. The state does not own the money of individuals.

Therefore, the returns resulting from investment certificates are unlawful (haram) and must be spent on the general welfare of Muslims. It is permissible for a poor person to take from it according to his need.