Is there a difference between someone who knows that usury (riba) is forbidden and says that he practices it due to living conditions, and someone who knows it is forbidden and practices it because he desires it? And is there an indication that shifts a person from persistence (in sin) to deeming it permissible (istihlal), and is it taken into consideration?

One who deals with usury apologizing for his need is not like one who deals with it boastfully. For a sin may become small through humility and brokenness, and it may become great through insolence and arrogance. Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "All of my ﷺ Ummah will be forgiven except those who commit sins openly." And one who commits a sin openly adds another sin to his sin, as Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar said: "He has committed two prohibitions: displaying the sin, and behaving like the dissolute." As for deeming it lawful (istihlal), it is believing that something forbidden is permissible, and in this case, the person believes usury is forbidden. Therefore, the seriousness of boastfully committing forbidden acts must be explained, and we entrust his matter to Allah.