Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
My husband and I have been looking to move out of our city so that we can afford to rent a home big enough to accommodate us and our children, as we have significantly outgrown our small flat. However, upon hearing this news, my mum wants to buy us a house with a mortgage.
I have said I do not want to take out a mortgage. So they have agreed to buy one and I can pay as much as I possibly can in rent and they will pay the rest.
Now they have said they don’t have the funds yet for a deposit but will soon and in the meantime, to stop me moving out of the city, will pay the difference in rent for me to get a bigger place until they find a house to buy for us to live in.
I am a revert and have not really spoken at all to my father in almost 10 years and saw him only once recently in this time and he is still willing to help me.
I want to know if it’s the right or wrong thing to do, and if the most honourable and correct thing is to move out of the city into a place with very few Muslim people or take their offer and stay close to a Muslim community?
Answer
Take their offer and stay in the city, close to your parents and close to the Muslim community. This way, you and your family can benefit from the company of other Muslims and you can also work on your relationship with your parents
It is a very kind offer for them to help you in such a way. Show appropriate gratitude. Perhaps this may end up as a means for them to accept Islam. Pray for their guidance after your obligatory prayers.
Avoiding Mortgages
Let them buy the house with whichever means they want. You cannot be directly involved in an interest based contract, although it would be permissible to live in the property. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, cursed “the one who takes interest, the one who gives it, the one who writes (the contract), and those who witness it.” [Muslim]
If it comes to it, there are banks that allow a sharia compliant means of financing your home. You could consider that.
May Allah facilitate the matter for you in the best of ways.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani