Answered by: Maulana Sibghat Ullah
Question:
My father is involved in property which is funded through haraam mortgages. This is his only income and as he is old, he has slim to no chance of getting a job. My question is how do I advise him to make tawbah? What should he do with his haraam assets to make tawbah?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Tawba can be done anytime no matter how grave the sin is. The conditions of tawba are:
⦁ Sincerity
⦁ Repentance
⦁ Turning to Allah
⦁ The firm intention of avoiding sins
ALLAH says in Quran: – Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of ALLAH. Indeed, ALLAH forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, “I swear by Allah that I seek Allah’s Pardon and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”
You need to explain to your father the severity of interest and how much it is detestable to Allah and His messenger.
Allah says in Quran:
“You who believe, beware of God: give up any outstanding dues from riba, if you are true believers. If you do not, then be warned of war from God and His Messenger.” (Surah Baqarah (2:278-279)
Now coming to the point of what to be done with haram assets. First of all, as explained above, ask sincere repentance and ask for Allah to help your father come out from this wrath. Secondly, do whatever is in your power and ability to come out from riba as soon as possible. It can be done either by paying off the loan if you have the means or by getting the assets re-financed through a Shariah-compliant etc.
The bottom line is to try your best to free yourself from the filth of riba. If you have a sincere intention and firm resolution Allah will help you in coming out of this matter.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Sibghat Ullah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham