Is a bank loan with interest considered usury, given the unavailability of Islamic banks and the need to repay debts?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A loan with an increase is a type of forbidden usury (riba). What the questioner mentioned, regarding the absence of Islamic banks or the difficulty in settling debts, is not a justification for committing this grave sin. What is incumbent upon her now is to annul the contract and return the money to the bank if possible. Otherwise, she should repay her debt and repent to Allah, resolving not to return to this disobedience, bearing in mind that she is only required to return the principal amount without the interest.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/45485
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 45485
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy