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Fatwa CenterBuying House with Riba in Belgium
Question
Several persons says that Qardhawi said that buying a house in a non-Muslim country is not forbidden if it's only for personal use. I have 2 children and want to have more but I have only 2 bedrooms for me, my wife and my children. Renting a larger apartment is too expensive for us. If we stay in this apartment we couldn't have other children. We are living in Belgium. Is it lawful for us to buy a house with interest? What did Qardhawi say about it? If it's to have more children and to give them a better way of life. Is it according to Islam or not? What are the exceptions for the "Riba" to buying house? Please answer me as soon as possible.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
All the religious texts stipulate the prohibition of Riba (interest and/or usury) in all its forms. In fact, the Sharee’ah does not differentiate in this ruling between Riba for daily expenses or in trade or in production. This ruling also does not differentiate in regard to Riba, between a Muslim and a Muslim, or a Muslim and a non-Muslim. So, it is strictly prohibited for the Muslim to deal in Riba whether to elevate his living standard or for the well-being of his family and children. Indeed dealing in Riba is a major sin and whoever does so for the purpose of making life easier for himself will undoubtedly experience the opposite.
Allah Says (what means): {Allah destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allah does not like every sinning disbeliever.} [Quran 2:276]
So, avoid dealing in Riba. The Sharee’ah permits the Muslim to commit some forbidden acts when in a dire necessity. But what you mentioned is not a dire necessity.
In fact, it is Allah Who nourishes us and our children.
Allah Says (what means): {And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. ………..} [Quran 17:31] So, before you get children you are not obliged to provide a residence for them with lawful means, let alone with forbidden sources. Nobody should deal in Riba except in dire necessity and having a larger place to live is not a dire necessity as long as one can rent a place to live in.
Allah knows best.
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