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Is it permissible to borrow with interest (riba) out of necessity to overcome financial difficulties, and what is the ruling on that?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

An usurious loan is impermissible to undertake unless out of necessity. Necessity is a state of severe danger or hardship where there is a fear of harm befalling oneself or one's limbs, or one's honor, or one's intellect, or one's wealth. The disruption of some businesses due to debts does not fall under the necessity that permits usury. Dealing with usurious banks is forbidden when an Islamic alternative exists. One can seek permissible means to meet their needs. It is also recommended to recite the supplication that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, taught to Abu Umamah: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from inability and laziness, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from being overpowered by men."

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

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