Is interest forgiven for those living in a society where it is prevalent?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

Allah Ta’ala states:

“O! you who believe, fear Allah and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if you are indeed believers. But if you do not (abstain) take notice of war from Allah and His Apostle…”
(Surah Al Baqarah, Ayah 279)

Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said:

On the night of Miraj, when we reached the seventh Heaven I looked above me. Suddenly I heard the sound of thunder and lightning. Then I came to a group of people whose bellies/stomachs were as big as houses, in which there were snakes which could be seen from the outside. I asked Jibraeel “Who are these people?” He replied “People who consumed interest.”
(Ibn Majah)

Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once narrated a lengthy dream of his to the Sahaba. One of the things Nabî (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saw was a river. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) mentions that the river was red like blood. A person was swimming in this river. Another person was standing on the bank of the river. He had gathered many stories next to him. When the swimmer would approach the bank of the river the latter would throw a stone into his mouth. The swimmer would then drift away into the river. The swimmer once again returned and the same procedure was repeated. Nabî (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) says: I asked my companions (i.e. angels) about these people. They later told me that the person who was swimming in the river (of blood) in whose mouth stones were thrown is the person that consumed interest.

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) states:

When zina (adultery/fornication) and Riba (interest) become rife in a certain city or town, Allâh Ta‘âla announces the destruction of that city/town. (Hakim)

Therefore, interest (a major sin in Islam) cannot be forgiven for any Muslims living in a society of interest.

The only event when interest may be acceptable is if one is in dire straits and in a financial predicament of such nature that makes ones’ life difficult to the extent that one is unable to live even to the basic standard prescribed by Shariah. However, such interest should ONLY be used to the extent that it pulls them out of this predicament.

It should be noted that a person should not decide for themselves as to whether or not if they qualify but rather approach an authoritative and reliable Alim/mufti in their locality who can objectively assess the situation.

What is to be done with Riba Money?

As Riba is a Harâm form of income, it will be disposed of in the same manner as the other Haram, ill-gotten funds. The Fuqaha (Jurists of Islâm) state that the fundamental principle in disposing of Harâm funds is that such funds are “Waajibut-Tasadduq”, i.e. they have to be given into the ownership of deserving poor Muslim recipients without any intention of reward. Riba money will thus be disposed of without any intention of gaining reward, to those needy Muslims who are eligible to receive Zakat.

One must therefore, refrain from such a sin and leave the worldly desires and adopt the Islamic way of life.

Know, if one leaves something for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, surely Allah Ta’ala will give him better than what he left. Allah Ta’ala Says : And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. [65:2-3].

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK