What are the conditions and procedures for obtaining loans from Islamic banks, and how can a Muslim act if an Islamic bank is not available in his country?

A loan is of two types: The first is a goodly loan (qard hasan (definition)), repaid in kind without any increase. This is permissible and carries a great reward. The second is an interest-bearing (riba-based) loan, repaid with an increase. This is forbidden usury (riba), whether for investment or need. The absence of an Islamic bank does not permit borrowing from an interest-based bank. It is permissible for a bank to purchase a commodity and sell it to the customer on a murabahah (definition) basis, subject to certain conditions.