What is the ruling on dealing with usury to purchase a house or to start a business in the West, considering that society relies on usury and that the alternative is to pay monthly rent for long periods, which prevents a Muslim from owning his home and saving money?
It is forbidden to buy a house with a usurious loan unless there is a necessity. There is no necessity as long as one can rent and the remainder of their salary is sufficient to cover their expenses. Necessity is assessed in proportion to its extent. It is obligatory to return from lands of disbelief to Muslim lands if possible without hardship, in order to preserve one's religion, safeguard one's faith, and raise one's children. Residence in lands of disbelief is not permissible except for a necessity (such as seeking knowledge or engaging in da'wah). Islamic banks are not like usurious banks; usurious banks operate on borrowing and lending with forbidden interest, while Islamic banks operate on investment through murabaha (cost-plus financing) and istisna' (manufacturing contract).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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