Is it permissible to take out an interest-bearing loan to pay off debts and avoid imprisonment, given the absence of other alternatives to alleviate financial burdens?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Usury (Riba) is among the gravest sins, incurring war from Allah and His Messenger. Those who deal in it are accursed, and even if their wealth increases through it, their ultimate fate will be scarcity. Therefore, it is impermissible to engage in a usurious loan. The doors to lawful provision are many, and whoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, He will compensate him with something better. It is permissible to deal with a usurious bank if it offers Islamic financing that adheres to controls when there is a need.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/149596
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 149596
- 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