Is the 9% legal interest rate, which Jordanian courts rule as compensation to the creditor for the debtor's delay in payment, permissible or forbidden?
The legal interest taken from the debtor for delaying the payment of a debt, whether small or large, is the usury (riba) of pre-Islamic ignorance (Jahiliyyah) which is forbidden by the clear text of the Holy Qur'an. Allah Almighty says: "O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of riba, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged. And if there is one in [financial] hardship, then [give him] time until a remarkable ease [comes]. But to give [thereby as charity] is better for you, if you only know." These verses unanimously affirm that it is not permissible for the creditor to take more than what he gave from a debtor who is able to pay, and that a debtor in hardship must be granted respite until he becomes solvent. The prohibition of interest for delaying debt payment is a matter of consensus among scholars.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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