Do interest laws apply to mortgage payments towards owning a car or house?
The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ), whose job was to clarify the Qur’an, spelled out the prohibition in words, which leave no room for misinterpretation. Both Jabir ibn Abdullah and Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported that Allah’s messenger (ﷺ) cursed the devourer of Riba, the one who pays it, the one who wrote up (the contract) and its two witnesses, and said:
“They are all the same.” [1]
The fact that the Prophet (ﷺ) considered all those participating in business transactions involving interest as accomplices in a sinful act of disobedience to God, clearly indicates that a Muslim must conspicuously avoid interest at all costs unless he fears the loss of his life or limb, which is highly unlikely in the case of interest. As for those whose hearts are completely sealed to the truth, they insist on making further excuses saying, “We are only paying a very small amount of interest. It is only 1% or 5%. However, even this door has been slammed shut in their insolent faces by the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Riba has seventy-three forms, the simplest of which is like a man performing sex with his own mother.” [2]
This hadith demonstrates in graphic terms Islam’s position towards even the most insignificant form of interest; it is more sinful than incest.
One has to make a realistic assessment of the situation before dashing to the bank. One should reflect on the Prophet’s advice:
“Look at those less fortunate than you, and not those above you; it is better for you, in order that you do not deny what Allah has blessed you with.” [3]
No matter how bad one’s situation may seem, there are always others in worse situations. Thus, paying rent year after year without ever being able to buy a house outright is still better than the situation of those who cannot even afford to rent an apartment. In fact, one should be certain that money paid in rent to avoid paying interest is blessed by God and will be in his favor on the Day of Judgment. The difficult situations of life are only tests and one of the main criteria for passing it is patience, the backbone of steady Iman.References:
[1] Collected by Bukhari (Sahih Bukhari, English Trans., vol. 3, Book 34, Hadith 299), Muslim (Sahih Muslim, English Trans., vol 3, p 839, no. 3881) and Abu Dawud (English Trans., Book 22, Hadith 3327)
[2] Reported by Ibn Mas’ud and collected by Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim. This Hadeeth is Saheeh (authentic). See al-Albani’s Saheeh Sunan Ibn Majah
[3] Reported by Abu Hurayrah and collected by Bukhari (Sahih Bukhari (Arabic-English), vol. 8, p. 328, no. 497) and Muslim (Sahih Muslim (English Trans.), vol. 4, p. 1530, no. 7070)
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