Is the fixed interest of $20,0 that a bank charges for a $100,0 housing loan considered usury (riba), and does it become usury if it increases?
Borrowing with interest is explicit usury (riba) and is (forbidden) by consensus, even if the interest does not increase with late payment. Scholars have unanimously agreed that stipulating an increase or a gift in a loan is usury, citing the Almighty's verse: "O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, 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" (Al-Baqarah: 278-279). They also cited the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "Avoid the seven destructive sins... and consuming usury," and the narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) cursed the one who consumes usury, the one who pays it, the one who writes it, and the two who witness it, and he said: 'They are all equal (in sin).'"
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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