Can I Maintain Friendship with People Who Have Mortgages?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I have a much-loved group of Muslim friends. In recent years, some have taken out conventional mortgages. They either have a fatwa from someone or feel it is the best they can do in their situation. Can I continue the friendship and visit them in their homes? If so, do I have a duty to continue to speak to them about it?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Yes, it is permissible to maintain your friendship with these people. They have either made a mistake or followed a position they felt was sound. Although we consider the position of impermissibility to be the correct one in this matter, it does not render them people undeserving of mercy and kindness.

You may visit their homes and continue your friendship with them. You don’t have to keep bringing the matter up; however, if the opportunity arises, advise them to turn to Allah and repent. Maybe your sincere concern and encouraging words will inspire them to do so, and they could bring much good to their lives. After all, “Someone who repents from a sin is like the one who has no sin.” [Tabarani, al Mujam al Kabir]

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.