Bank loan is impermissible except in case of extreme necessity

29-12-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it permissible to take bank loan to undergo medical treatment which is extremely necessary because i am facing immence hardship, pain and depression affecting my normal life. This ll also be a problem for me to get married as well. Please guide.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The basic ruling regarding Riba [usury] is its prohibition, so it is not permissible to get into it as long as there is no legitimate necessity to do so. Allaah The Exalted Said (what means): {He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled.}[Quran 6:119] He The Exalted also Said (what means): {But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him.}[Quran 2:173]

The definition of “necessity” is what would most likely cause a person to fall into ruin or some unbearable hardship without it. We explained this in Fataawa 100833, 86371 and 133941.

Based on that, if your condition deteriorates to the point of such a necessity that permits the forbidden, then there is no harm upon you for taking the loan with Riba if you are unable to find an Islamically acceptable alternative.

Allaah Knows best.