Back to search

Is a conditional increase on the principal due to late payment of a debt considered usury (riba) if the lender takes it and donates it, and not usury if the lender does not use it for personal benefit?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Imposing a fine on a borrower for delayed loan repayment is Islamically forbidden and is precisely the usury of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era). The lender's intention to donate the fine amount does not change this ruling. Therefore, the condition of a penalty fine for late payment is null and impermissible.

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

Read the full answer on Ftawy