Am I Sinning for My Husband’s Mortgages?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
My husband took mortgages I disagreed with—our home, a rental apartment, and now a $1M commercial property.
I have warned him with the ayat; he is persistent. Am I sinning along with him? Are we in constant sin in the house we live in? I cannot work; I rely on him.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate
I appreciate the burden you are carrying. Know that your distress is itself a sign that your heart is alive to Allah.
The sin of a riba contract falls on the one who contracts it, not on a spouse who hates it in her heart and has spoken against it. You are not sinning for your husband’s choices, especially once you have done your duty to counsel him.
The Duty of Commanding the Good and How it is Fulfilled
The duty of commanding the good and forbidding the evil (al-amr bil-maruf wa al-nahy an al-munkar) is discharged by delivering the matter once, clearly, with its evidence. [Abu Talib al-Makki, Qut al-Qulub; Zabidi, Ithaf al-Sada al-Muttaqin Sharh Ihya Ulum al-Din]
After that, repetition becomes sincere counsel (nasiha), recommended where there is a realistic hope of benefit. You have done what was required of you.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Whoever among you sees a wrong, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]
You have used your tongue. Imam Nawawi explains in his commentary on Sahih Muslim that the one who cannot change a wrong with hand or tongue is still required to hate it in the heart — and that this hatred is itself a station of faith Allah accepts from the believer. [Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim]
Nagging Doesn’t Work
Nagging rarely moves a determined spouse and often hardens him. Shaykh Nuh Keller counsels both spouses to “seldom argue” with one another, and teaches that the believer benefits even from the evil of others by changing it with his tongue, his hand, or by a prayer in his heart; or if unable to change it, he benefits by realizing that it is evil, which is rewarded by Allah as faith. [Keller, Sea Without Shore]
The means now is supplication (du’a) at the night prayer (tahajjud). Allah Most High says:
“Call on Me, and I will answer you.” [Quran 40:60]
“Verily, only through the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.” [Quran 13:28]
Take these two verses with you to your night devotions (tahajjud). Ask Allah to guide him, protect your home, and open for you both a lawful way.
The Heart That Hates the Wrong Is Not Sinful for It
For the specific decisions in front of you, you’re not responsible (with the above in mind) for the home you live in, the rentals, and the proposed commercial mortgage.
Do consult a trusted local scholar who understands your context and can help you navigate sensitivities. Your city has many such scholars. Don’t bear your burdens alone.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School.” This book, published by White Thread Press in 2004, is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
