Father Forced Him to Get a Riba-Based Loan

31-12-2018 | IslamWeb

Question:

Salaam aleikum. I'm a man in my 30s and when I was a teenager my father forced a student loan on me without my approval. He went to the office with me and forced me to take the loan and sign my name by intimidating and threatening me. It didn't matter how many times I said I didn't want to, he just didn't care. At that time I also didn't know that taking a loan would involve riba. I was put into a situation where I felt I had no other choice but to give him what he wanted and so I did. Years later and I'm now facing a debt that has piled up over the years without my knowledge because I thought that it was already settled years ago. So my question is, what is my islamic responsibility and obligation in handling this issue and will I be held accountable for participating in this riba despite not knowing about the riba and not giving my consent to take the loan?Barak Allahu feek

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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.

You said in your question, "I did not know that taking a loan would involve Riba", and you also mentioned that your father had forced you to do this, so there is no sin on you, Allah willing.

If you can drop the interest, then this is what is required. If that is not possible, then, there is no sin on you to pay the interest along with the original loan.

Allah knows best.